By RAPHAEL WONG

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim believes that some Barisan Nasional members were behind the decision to get Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu appointed as the new Perlis Mentri Besar despite him getting the acknowledgement by the Prime Minister to take up the post.

Expressing disappointment with the appointment, Shahidan said he believed that it was the doing of Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid.

"I think so," he answered reporters when asked if Radzi was behind it, adding that he knew that both Radzi and Azmi had been organising events to get wakil rakyat to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"But Pak Lah chose me. It is not right to go against the party and the agreement," he said.

Speaking to reporters outside the Prime Minister's Office here on Friday, Shahidan said he had earlier had an audience with Raja Perlis in Kuala Lumpur where he presented the letter of appointment issued by Abdullah.

"But the Raja's decision was to appoint another person, I do not know why," he said, adding that he was still Mentri Besar for another 120 days.

He also said that no one should go against Abdullah's decision but should instead respect his leadership.

"This is Barisan Nasional's pride. If there is no respect for Barisan Nasional and Umno, who else will respect them?

"Barisan Nasional has won the election therefore the appointment by the coalition party should not be questioned," he said.

He cited Kedah and Selangor as examples where their respective Sultans accepted the party leaders’ recommendation of the respective Mentri Besar.

Shahidan said the statement by Raja Perlis, appointing Dr Md Isa as the Mentri Besar, was not the issue.

"(The issue is) I have been appointed as Mentri Besar by Barisan Nasional but it would seem that the decision had not been respected.

"This is a clear indication that the party, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and even the people's decision have been disregarded," he said.

He urged the people of Perlis to remain calm as this was a constitutional issue and the necessary action would be taken against those who do not abide by the Barisan Nasional regulations in accordance with the provisions of the law.