KUALA LUMPUR – Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu this morning lost a vote of confidence in the state assembly, with 48 of the 59 reps against him.
He received 10 votes in support. One vote was spoilt.
The motion was tabled by Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim (BN-Pengkalan Baharu).
State Speaker Datuk Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid allowed it to be fast-tracked after emergency motions were put forward by Salbiah Mohamed (BN-Temenggor) and Howard Lee (PH-Pasir Pinji).
Manaf said the confidence motion arose from the menteri besar’s questionable support and the public perception of Perak’s “backdoor” administration.
“The best way to determine who has public support is through an election. But because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the country’s financial situation, we cannot hold an election.”
Therefore, he said, the next best way to determine Faizal’s legitimacy is through a vote.
“We need a leader whose support is unquestionable. An administration that is not tied to a backdoor administration.”
During the debate on the motion, Razman Zakaria (PAS-Gunung Semanggol) voiced support for it, adding that changing a government in the midst of a pandemic is tantamount to a betrayal of public trust.
He also reminded the assembly of the services Faizal has rendered to the state.
Faizal acknowledged the result of the vote, and promised a smooth handover.
He expressed hope that the new state administration will not cancel ongoing projects due to personal agendas.
“I hope that the state government will continue with some of the programmes we have established since the time of the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, such as the Women Secretariat Institute, which will be realised next year.
“I believe that this term is the best term to correct any mistakes and improve what can be improved.
“It has been a great honour to serve our beloved state, and I also thank his Royal Highness the sultan of Perak for giving me the opportunity to serve.”
The vote was carried out through a division of the assembly, where reps marked their ballots and put them in a box carried by the House’s heralds. The ballots were then counted by the speaker. – The Vibes, December 4, 2020
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