Pakatan keeping close tabs on Perak, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan will continue to monitor the crisis in Perak as its state leaders negotiate with Umno on a new state government.

Opposition leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the PH presidential council has so far allowed state leaders to deliberate, decide and make recommendations to it.

“Of course, we will have to monitor and discuss with the state leadership in Perak between DAP, PKR and Amanah.

“This is a very positive development because of the sheer incompetence of the then menteri besar. (For now,) we have allowed them (state leadership) to continue with the negotiations,” he told reporters on the sidelines of today’s Parliament proceedings.

Asked about the negotiations, he said they are being held based on the principles of governance and transparency.

“We are ensuring that change is only acceptable when it’s to ensure stability and good reforms (in the new state government).”

Anwar confirmed that the council did not discuss Perak Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad as a front-runner for the menteri besar’s post.

The crisis was triggered after Chenderiang assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu of Bersatu lost a confidence vote on Friday.

Accepting the results, he tendered his resignation on Saturday evening after having an audience twice with Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

Umno has the most seats in the state assembly at 25, followed by DAP (16), Amanah (5), Bersatu (5), PKR (3), PAS (3), Gerakan (1) and independent (1).

After meeting the sultan yesterday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he is open to a political realignment if Perikatan Nasional is unable to form the state government.

In response, PH reps expressed their willingness to work with Umno at the state level.

The Barisan Nasional lynchpin is expected to finalise its decision at a Supreme Council meeting tonight. – The Vibes, December 7, 2020