KUALA LUMPUR – A surprising alliance between Umno and Pakatan Harapan may see a unity government in Perak, after Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu lost a vote of confidence this morning.
According to state PH sources, an agreement has allegedly been reached between the pact and Umno, which would see Perak Umno chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad as the new menteri besar.
A source said the deal could see DAP getting three exco posts, with Amanah and PKR to get one each. Umno will take up the remaining posts.
A DAP source said it is too early for the party’s state chapter to decide on the proposal.
“DAP only agreed to a vote of no confidence (against Faizal). It is too early to consider such a proposal.”
It is learnt that the move to oust Faizal was plotted last week.
Should the unity government materialise, it would see Umno, DAP, Amanah and PKR having a combined 49 reps in the 59-seat state assembly.
Umno holds 25 seats, DAP (16), Amanah (5), PKR (3), Bersatu (5), PAS (3), Gerakan (1) and independent (1).
Thirty seats are needed to form a government with a simple majority.
Four-term Kota Tampan assemblyman Saarani, 58, has served as exco for numerous portfolios since 2004.
The move is expected to conclude by Wednesday as the state assembly sitting resumes.
Faizal, meanwhile, has given an assurance that Perikatan Nasional will continue to administer the state with only a change in leadership.
He said he expects the state Bersatu to continue its cooperation with Umno and PAS under the PN banner.
However, Astro Awani reported that when asked about a possible cooperation between Umno and DAP, Faizal cynically said it may be a sign that the two parties worked together to have him ousted.
Faizal lost the vote in the state assembly, where he had been scheduled to table Perak’s budget for next year, 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).
DAP’s inclination to form a state government with Umno may have been boosted by news that PAS has decided not to be part of the next Perak administration.
The Islamist party’s decision reflects the stand of its three reps, who voted for Faizal this morning.
“We take heed of today’s confidence motion, where three PAS assemblymen stated their support (for Faizal), which is in tandem with the stand made by the party’s political bureau,” said PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement.
“Therefore, with regard to the (bureau’s) decision, PAS has decided to not take part in any attempt to form a new Perak government.” – The Vibes, December 4, 2020
Additional reporting by Zaidi Azmi
