KUALA LUMPUR – Any decision on the Perak political crisis will be made by individual Barisan Nasional parties, and not collectively by the coalition, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The BN treasurer-general said the matter was discussed briefly at its supreme council meeting tonight, with discussions focused more on the pact itself.
“I think the Perak issue has (run) its course. That one (decisions on Perak), you have to wait and see what comes out from the leadership of each party.
“It was not discussed in detail today,” he told reporters at the Umno headquarters here, where the meeting was held.
He was asked if the state’s ongoing menteri besar predicament was brought up at the meet, seeing as to how Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah is still unconvinced that any party holds a simple majority in the state assembly.
The menteri besar’s post fell vacant after Bersatu deputy president and Chenderiang assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu resigned, following his loss in a confidence vote in the state assembly on Friday.
After meeting state-level party reps, the sultan is reportedly unconvinced that anyone holds a simple majority in the state assembly.
On BN’s position with regard to Muafakat Nasional ally PAS, Hishammuddin said any statements on this will have to come from chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“You have to ask the (chairman). It is not for me to say.”
Umno’s relationship with PAS appears strained following the Perak crisis, with the Islamist party saying it will not take part in efforts to form the new state government.
PAS reps were originally slated to meet Sultan Nazrin at 3pm today, but requested to withdraw the audience at the behest of the party’s central leadership.
Bersatu, meanwhile, in a statement yesterday said it will strengthen its relationship with PAS in the PN coalition, which Umno is not officially a part of.
Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said any decision on the new Perak government will take into account PN members, especially PAS.
Tonight’s BN supreme council meeting was chaired by Zahid, and saw the attendance of MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, MIC chief Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, among others. – The Vibes, December 8, 2020
