Perikatan Nasional takes over Perak

IPOH: The new Perak state government is from Perikatan Nasional that has the support of 32 assemblymen from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Umno and PAS, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He said independent Tualang Sekah assemblyman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi has joined Bersatu. She is a former exco member under the previous Barisan Nasional administration before becoming a Pakatan Harapan-friendly independent.

He added PKR exco member Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamahari, the Kuala Kurau assemblyman, is also now a Bersatu member.

“I am very sorry that the media and the people of Perak had to wait for so long before the announcement was made.

“But in order to have a more stable government, we must not rush. We want to serve the people of Perak in a better way.

“People will say I am a traitor but it’s an open secret that some in the exco line-up had the intention to bring the MB down, so who are the traitors?” he told a press conference at a hotel here yesterday.

Perak Perikatan Nasional now consists of 25 Umno representatives, three from PAS and four from Bersatu. Perak has 59 state seats. Pakatan holds 27 seats.

On whether he would still be the Mentri Besar, Ahmad Faizal said for now, he would still helm the post.

“The leaders of the three parties will submit the names of the mentri besar of their choice to the Sultan of Perak.

Taking over: (From left) Saarani, Ahmad Faizal and Razman are all smiles during the press conference to announce the new state government.

Abdul Yunus later told reporters that he decided to join Bersatu on his own will.

“No one forced, pressured or blackmailed me to join Bersatu. This is my own decision, as I feel Bersatu is the best party for me, ” he added.

In a separate press conference, Tronoh assemblyman Paul Yong Choo Kiong said the decision to leave Perak Pakatan Harapan to become independents was to protect the constituents.

He said he, together with Titi Serong assemblyman Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim and Buntong assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam, were quitting to fulfil their duties to their voters.

“We have thought this through a few days ago and decided to become independents for the sake of our voters. There is no issue of who is jumping or not. The situation in Perak is slightly different.

“With all these political games, the people have become the victims and as an assemblyman, I have to fulfil my duty to my voters, ” he added.

“Looking at the formation of Perikatan, there is no representative from the Chinese or Indian community. That is why we decided to become independents, ” he said.

“We also have many public projects in Tronoh that are still ongoing. If we are in the Opposition, these projects will be on hold, ” he added.

In an immediate reaction, Perak PKR chairman Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak said Ahmad Faizal’s “betrayal” was expected.

In a statement, he said he has long been disappointed with Ahmad Faizal’s performance.

“We expected Perak to fall as we have long been disappointed with Faizal. His behaviour of fooling the people can be seen the whole of last week, causing delays in making a decision, ” he added.