IPOH – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has submitted the party’s list of candidates for the Perak menteri besar position to ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah this morning.
Speaking to the press after his 30-minute audience, the Bagan Datuk MP said the Umno candidate has more than the simple majority required to form the state government.
“I carry out the wishes of His Royal Highness that the right to nominate the candidate belongs to Umno but the right to announce the menteri besar candidates belongs to His Royal Highness.
“That was what we presented (the majority) and I am very confident that we have more than enough majority support,” said Zahid.
He also echoed the words of Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan that the party will form the new state government with its Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies, Bersatu and PAS.
State Speaker Datuk Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid was also summoned for an audience with Sultan Nazrin at 11am today.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar tomorrow morning.
Later in a separate press conference, Dewan Negara Perak member Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini said that Sultan Nazrin has summoned PAS and Bersatu assemblymen for an audience at Istana Kinta to determine if they will form a coalition government with Umno.
“His Royal Highness has summoned assemblymen from Bersatu and PAS for an audience any time today.
“The swearing-in ceremony for the new menteri besar will only be held once His Royal Highness is convinced that there is a simple majority to form the state government,” said Annuar.
He added that the assemblymen have already been notified of their pending audience by palace officials.
Meanwhile, Bersatu's Titi Serong rep Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim will meet the Perak sultan at 2.45pm.
PAS reps have also been summoned to the palace later today, followed by Bersatu assemblymen.
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that Umno sources had confirmed that Kota Tampan assemblyman and Perak Umno state liaison committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad has been selected as the party’s menteri besar candidate.
The five-term state lawmaker is also the party’s most senior member in Perak.
The state government fell when Bersatu deputy president and Chenderiang assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu lost a confidence vote in the Perak assembly last Friday.
Faizal lost with 48 votes against him, 10 in support and one damaged or abstained vote.
The motion of confidence was filed by Umno’s Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim.
Zahir allowed it to be fast-tracked after emergency motions were put forward by Salbiah Mohamed (BN-Temenggor) and Howard Lee (PH-Pasir Pinji).
Faizal tendered his resignation on Saturday evening, which automatically dissolved the state executive committee as well. – The Vibes, December 8, 2020
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