[UPDATED] Howard Lee shuts down rumour mill on possible dissolution of Perak assembly

KUALA LUMPUR – Perak assemblyman Howard Lee has dismissed rumours of a possible call for the dissolution of the state assembly on the heels of Johor’s coming polls.

Speaking to the press outside of the Brickfields district police headquarters, he said he is uncertain about how such speculation had come about.

“As far as I am concerned, I heard some loud voices in the rumour mill, but as of this morning, there have been no concrete calls for a dissolution.

“I am not sure what could have generated such hearsay,” said Lee, who is also Pakatan Harapan youth chief.

He added that there are no links between the current events in Johor and the future of Perak.

“Johor is in its own echo chamber. There is no bridge between Johor and Perak.”

Lee was at the station today after being questioned by police over his involvement in a rally against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.

Expressing a similar view, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad had stated at an event yesterday that there is no necessity to dissolve the state assembly, as the government has strong support, even from the opposition. 

In the 59-seat state assembly, the Perak government currently has support from 36 assemblymen – 25 from Barisan Nasional (BN); Bersatu (four); PAS (three); Parti Bangsa Malaysia (three); and Independent (one).

A total of 30 seats are needed to secure a slim majority. 

On January 22, Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar assented to dissolving the state assembly after an audience with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad at Istana Bukit Serene on the same day. 

Besides that, the Election Commission is set to meet on February 9 to address the upcoming Johor polls, saying in a statement that according to state laws, an election is to be held 60 days from the dissolution date. – The Vibes, January 24, 2022