Big crowd at Shahidan's residence in show of support

A huge crowd gathered at the official residence of Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today in a show of support for the Menteri Besar after talk swirled that he would be dropped from contesting the March 8 polls.
However, the crowd dispersed orderly after three hours when there was no word on the announcement of Barisan Nasional's candidates list for Perlis.
The crowd of single mothers, Umno branch members, and other walks of life were asked to assemble at the compound of the Menteri Besar’s residence at 3pm.
Shahidan was still in Putrajaya as of 6pm yesterday, and denied any knowledge of the gathering. He had an appointment at 6.30pm to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the latter's office.
Shahidan's wife Datin Seri Shamsiah Mohd Yassin conveyed a message, which asked the crowd of mostly women and single mothers "to pray for strength and to gain victory."
"He wants us to be patient, and continue our struggle no matter what,” she said. Others in the crowd were more emotional and did not mince their words about rumours that Shahidan would be dropped from the BN's candidacy.
"We have decided, if the MB is not nominated as a candidate, we would close down our operation room," said Othman Ibrahim, 50, who heads the Kampung Padang Melaka Umno branch in Chuping, Padang Besar.
Earlier, people waited eagerly when large speakers were set up. The master of ceremony announced that they would receive a telephone call from Kuala Lumpur, supposedly to announce the state's BN candidates’ list.
However nothing materialised after more than two hours of waiting.
When contacted by the New Straits Times, Shahidan denied knowing anything about the large gathering at his residence in Kangar. "I don't know who arranged it. I told my wife (to see to it). I'm here and they are there. People come to your house as they want to hear the news. If it is (settled) I will immediately tell them."
Shahidan said that he would announce the list of candidates after his weekly "Wawancara bersama Menteri Besar" radio show, which is held every Friday afternoon between 3pm and 4.30pm at his office.

tunku : perlis has the less seats and yet it took shahidan 5 times to see pak lah to discuss of the candidates line up.i wonder why?but there's strong rumours that shahidan will no longer be the MB of perlis and will be replaced by syed razlan.