IPOH – Chenderiang assemblyman and caretaker Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has admitted that his losing a motion of confidence at the state assembly today has caused a rift between his party, Bersatu, and its governing partners.
Due to Umno assemblymen’s move to vote against the motion without consulting Bersatu and PAS, which are partners in Perikatan Nasional, it might take some time before Bersatu representatives can have a sit-down with Umno members.
Faizal, however, maintained that the PN administration in Perak is intact despite the move.
“As far as I know, Umno is still with Bersatu and PAS,” he told reporters near Istana Kinta here after his audience with Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah this evening.
“But after their action this morning without discussing with their friends, of course, we from Bersatu are hurt, and it might take some time before we can sit down and have a conversation with them.
“Since the PN administration at the federal level is still intact, I hope that it won’t break down in Perak.”
He also confirmed that he has been appointed as caretaker menteri besar by the sultan.
He said he will remain in the role until the Perak ruler decides on his successor.
“I had an audience with His Royal Highness to inform him that I’ve lost the majority this morning. Of course, the sultan will have to hold a few meetings before making a decision to choose an assemblyman who has the majority to form a government.
“Meanwhile, I will head the caretaker government, and hope that this crisis will be resolved quickly. I ask that the people be patient and wait for the next announcement by His Royal Highness.”
Umno wants PN state government to stay
At the same time, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan issued a statement saying the PN administration in Perak will remain as a coalition under his party, Bersatu and PAS.
“Umno is of the position that the PN administration must remain in Perak. The state executive councillors must remain the same.
“Umno is also of the opinion that Bersatu and PAS must remain together as the PN state government.
“The vote of confidence today only involves the Perak menteri besar, without changing the status of the state administration.”
However, Faizal had pointed out to the press that the motion filed by Umno’s Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim (BN-Pengkalan Baharu) might have damaged the party at the state level due to the fact that it did not consult its partners.
PAS has issued a statement, saying it will not be part of any new Perak government following Faizal’s ouster.
Faizal has confirmed that his duties as caretaker menteri besar include seeing to it that services to the public are delivered, but said he has no intention of making major decisions. – The Vibes, December 4, 2020
