Awang Azman Awang Pawi said it was well known that the former chairman, Shahidan Kassim, was an influential “godfather” figure and warlord in Perlis, and had held sway over a majority of party members in the state.
“In Perlis, Umno politics seem to be controlled by Shahidan, and for a very long time he has been exerting his influence in Perlis.
“Shahidan’s influence in the state reaches the point where he even questions the royal institution, by asking the media ‘apa itu derhaka’.
“Hence, Khaled’s appointment is to neutralise the political situation in the state,” he told FMT.
Awang was asked to comment on Khaled’s unexpected appointment as the head of Perlis Umno, replacing Shahidan who was diagnosed as suffering from an autoimmune disorder known as Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Khaled recently expressed hope that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi would explain why he was chosen.
“I am aware that my appointment will raise many questions among the local leaders in the state,” said Khaled, who was recently elected as an Umno vice-president.
“I hope that the president will be able to explain this move soon so that we can continue with Umno’s transformation.”
Awang said if Shahidan was allowed to continue leading Perlis Umno, his actions and behaviour could further jeopardise the political stability in the state.
“If Shahidan is allowed to continue acting and behaving as he has, especially touching on the royal institution, as well as his seeming hand in the internal political unrest in the state, this could lead to dissatisfaction among the grassroots members and jeopardise political stability.
“Like it or not, the central Umno leadership has to intervene to ensure that the conservative party members continue to support Umno.”
Awang, who is from Universiti Malaya, said Khaled’s appointment to the position would strengthen Umno and help ensure stability in the state.
“This is because in Johor, Khaled once helmed Umno, and on top of that he had to take care of 26 divisions in the state.
“There are far fewer divisions in Perlis.”
There are only three Umno divisions in Perlis: Arau, Kangar and Padang Besar.
Awang added that Khaled’s experience in ensuring good relations with the Johor palace could come in handy in patching up relations between Perlis Umno and the state palace.
Shahidan, who is also Arau MP, was at the centre of a month-long political crisis after the general election in May.
Nine of 10 Barisan Nasional assemblymen allied to Shahidan had refused to support the appointment of Azlan Man, who was appointed to a second term as menteri besar by the Raja of Perlis. Instead, they supported Shahidan’s brother Ismail.
The crisis was only resolved after a month, when the nine “rebels” accepted Azlan’s appointment after an audience with Perlis Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail and Shahidan dropped his objections.
His brother Ismail subsequently left Umno and announced last week that he would join PKR in Kedah. His application is pending.