How the Perak MB crisis unfolded

IPOH – The latest Perak menteri besar ouster marks the third time the state government has fallen since its constitutional crisis in 2009.

The first was triggered when three Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen defected, causing the collapse of the state administration under then menteri besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS.

The second time occurred earlier this year as a result of the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal administration when Langkawi MP Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tendered his resignation as prime minister.

Lawmakers from Bersatu, a party Dr Mahathir founded, left PH en masse, including Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

Dubbed the “Sheraton Move”, this led to the formation of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government.

PH’s fall in Putrajaya triggered a cascade of states ending up in the hands of PN – Perak, Kedah and Johor, among others.

Below is a timeline of how Faizal’s administration fell in just a few weeks:

October 29 – Faizal had said he did not believe claims that Perak Umno has been conspiring with opposition parties to overthrow the PN state government.

He had said he had full trust in Perak Umno state liaison chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad, whom he considers a political mentor. 

Earlier, Saarani also denied allegations that Perak Umno was conspiring with opposition parties in the state to seize the menteri besar post.

November 18 – Umno’s Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim filed a motion of confidence through a letter to state Speaker Datuk Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid.

December 4 – At 8.30am, Umno’s Temenggor assemblyman Salbiah Mohamed and DAP’s Pasir Pinji assemblyman Howard Lee both filed emergency motions for the confidence vote.

The vote was accepted by Zahir, who acknowledged that it was a matter of urgent public interest.

In his speech on his motion, Manaf had told the state House that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be unwise to call for a dissolution of the assembly and a state election to determine Faizal’s legitimacy.

Manaf was supported by PAS state commissioner and Gunong Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria, who said a change of government in the current situation was tantamount to a betrayal of public trust.

When invited to put in their two cents, the state opposition said it will not participate in the debate on the motion.

This led to the speaker calling for a vote and a division of the assembly form of voting was requested.

All assemblyman then cast their votes on a sheet of paper before passing it to the assembly’s heralds (bentara), who carried boxes to collect their ballots.

Zahir then announced that Faizal had lost the confidence vote, with 48 votes against him and only 10 in support. One vote was considered spoilt or abstained.
 
At 4.30pm, Perak Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and Perak Legal Adviser Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin were summoned for an audience with state ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah at Istana Kinta in Ipoh.

At 5pm, Zahir was called in for an audience with the sultan on what had happened that morning.

Faizal was also granted an audience with the sultan after Zahir left.

After his audience, Faizal told the press that he was Perak’s caretaker menteri besar.

December 5 – At 9am, during a cheque-giving ceremony, Faizal told reporters that he would resign as menteri besar after his successor has been appointed.

At 11am, Sultan Nazrin granted an audience to three state PH leaders – DAP’s Nga Kor Ming, PKR’s Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak and Amanah’s Datuk Asmuni Awi.

At 11.30am, Perak Umno liaison chairman and MB frontrunner Datuk Saarani Mohamad was granted an audience with the sultan.

After Saarani left the palace, Dewan Negara Perak member Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini told the press that the party leaders had informed the sultan of their positions. However, no menteri besar candidates were mentioned.

At 3pm, Faizal was seen entering the palace for a brief audience with the sultan. Faizal then tendered his resignation as menteri besar. The move automatically dissolved the state executive committee and the PN state administration.

At 6pm, Faizal announced his resignation at Laman Seri Perak, the old menteri besar residence.

However, his parting words “Jemput datang ke Sri Satria nanti” had tongues wagging on whether he is gunning for the deputy prime minister post.

Meanwhile, Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria said he will not take sides during this crisis, and support both Bersatu and Umno.

He also said the state chapter’s mandate is to defend the current government and any decision on a new one will be up to the party’s central leadership.

Later, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was reported as saying that the Islamist party will meet to discuss its cooperation with Umno in Muafakat Nasional and PN.

At 8.12pm, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrived at the party’s state headquarters to attend a special state-level meeting, where is was expected to discuss menteri besar candidates.

The 9pm meeting chaired by Saarani was also attended by former Supreme Council member and Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Perak Umno deputy chairman Datuk Azian Osman and other state leaders.

After waiting nearly two hours outside the Umno building in Ipoh, many leaders remained tight-lipped over the night’s agenda.

Meanwhile, Saarani gave the press the slip.

Today, Zahid is scheduled to meet Sultan Nazrin at Istana Kinta at 10am to discuss the menteri besar crisis. – The Vibes, December 6, 2020