THE Perlis menteri besar crisis is believed to have been resolved after Umno vice-president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi agreed with the Perlis ruler’s preference for Azlan Man to retain the post, reports Utusan Malaysia. 

The Malay daily said Raja Perlis Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail had granted an audience to Zahid in Istana Arau, where he conveyed his preference that Azlan be retained.  

Perlis Barisan Nasional chairman Shahidan Kassim had earlier announced that BN has picked Tambun Tulang Assemblyman, Ismail Kassim, who is also his brother, as candidate. 

A source source said the swearing-in ceremony will be held soon.

Zahid was accompanied by Hishammuddin Hussein to the Istana, but when met by reporters outside the palace, refused to comment on the meeting. 

Both men were seen entering Istana Arau grounds at 11.20am and not long after, Syed Sirajuddin, was also seen entering the palace using his official vehicle at 11.55am.

The meeting went on for about an hour and 20 minutes before the two Umno leaders were seen leaving the palace at 1.15pm.  

Perlis is the only state that has not formed its government as the menteri besar crisis enters its 14th day. This is not the first time a leadership crisis beset the state. In 2008, it took two weeks for the state to fill in the menteri besar seat. 

BN won 10 of the 15 state seats in the recently concluded 14th general election. – May 23, 2018.