Perlis Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli and Perak opposition leader Razman Zakaria confront precarious political prospects following their abrupt replacements as PAS state commissioners, according to two political analysts.
Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub from Universiti Malaya and Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia predict that Shukri is poised to serve only a single term as Menteri Besar, though he is anticipated to complete his current mandate.
Tawfik pointed to Shukri’s recent defeat in the party’s central leadership election and his ensuing ouster as Perlis PAS chief as evidence of a broad national repudiation of his stewardship. “He has already lost two contests this year: as Arau PAS chief and as a central committee member. The rejection is clear, and keeping him as Menteri Besar would be a risk for PAS going into the next general election,” he told FMT.
Mazlan echoed this assessment, noting that Shukri has not distinguished himself among peers such as Nasruddin Daud in Kelantan, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar in Terengganu, and Sanusi Nor in Kedah. “Perlis seems to be lagging behind. PAS might see his track record as underwhelming, so after one term, they may give someone else a chance,” he observed.
Regarding Razman, the analysts attributed his sidelining to a pattern of provocative statements, often trailed by withdrawals and public apologies, which have tarnished PAS’s reputation and eroded its standing in Perak.
“He may still have opportunities, since PAS in other states often separates the roles of commissioner and Menteri Besar. But his attitude, outspokenness, and controversial nature, in my view, make it too risky for PAS,” Tawfik remarked.
Mazlan interpreted Razman’s removal as a deliberate move by the party to curtail his extended tenure and inject new vitality into its ranks. “Razman is already too senior, so it’s time to give younger leaders in Perak a chance to rise,” he said, effectively ruling out Razman’s prospects for nomination as a candidate for the Menteri Besar position.
