KANGAR, Oct 8 — Members of the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) in Perlis are fence-sitters and confused over the current political scenario in the country, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.

Shahidan, who is also Perlis Umno Liaison chairman said the presence of the splinter party had no effect on Umno’s position in the state and did not threaten it in any way, nor influence the state’s leaders to switch sides.

"We have internal problems within the party, that is normal, the Umno members who joined PPBM in this state are only those at grassroot-level.

"I am confident the state Umno leaders are very clear about today’s political situation and are not so easily confused that they would betray the party,” he said after attending mural painting activities held in conjunction with the National-Level Arts Festival here today.

Shahidan was commenting on the appointment of former Johor Umno leader Datuk Dr Shahruddin Md Salleh as PPBM secretary-general.

Shahidan said he was convinced the splinter party which was created out of frustration would not be able to challenge the Barisan Nasional (BN) which had a stronghold in Perlis.

"I am confident BN will be able to attain 100 per cent victory in Perlis and win back two more state seats from the opposition in the coming general election,” he added. — Bernama