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THE Perlis State Legislative Assembly will formally apply to the Election Commission to hold by-elections in three constituencies following unexpected vacancies triggered by internal turmoil within Perikatan Nasional, which has disrupted the state government’s majority.
Speaker of the Perlis State Assembly Rus’sele Eizan said the seats of Chuping, Bintong and Guar Sanji have fallen vacant after their respective assemblymen were expelled from PAS with immediate effect.
The affected lawmakers are Saad Seman of Chuping, Fakhrul Anwar Ismail of Bintong and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim of Guar Sanji.
“Official notification on the matter was received from PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan following the decision of the PAS Central Working Committee meeting yesterday,” he said at the Seri Putra Complex in Kangar today.
After reviewing the developments, Rus’sele said he was satisfied that an unexpected vacancy had occurred in all three constituencies, fulfilling the requirements under Article 50A(1)(a)(ii) of the Perlis State Constitution.
He added that written notice regarding the vacancies was also received from Beseri assemblyman Haziq Asyraf Dun, in line with Article 50A(3) of the state constitution.
Explaining further, Rus’sele noted that by-elections are generally not required once a state assembly has passed the three-year mark.
However, he pointed out that the First Sitting of the First Term of the Perlis State Assembly began on December 19, 2022, with the three-year period ending on December 18 this year.
“I am satisfied that the vacancies of these three seats have affected the overall majority of the Perlis State Assembly and created a situation where the stability of the state government is compromised,” he said.
“For the sake of governmental stability and to ensure the best possible service to the people, these vacancies should be filled,” he added.
Rus’sele said he would therefore exercise his discretion under the proviso of Article 55(5) of the Perlis State Constitution to notify the Election Commission in writing and request that by-elections be held to fill the unexpected vacancies. - December 25, 2025