KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 — Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today pinned the Perak political crisis down to the “sheer incompetence” of Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who failed to garner majority support in a vote of confidence last Friday
Anwar also pointed out that Faizal’s resignation as the chief minister was a positive development and that Pakatan Harapan (PH) parties are in negotiations with other stakeholders in the state to ensure a smooth transition of government.
“We will have to monitor the development in Perak and discuss with the state leadership which is DAP, Keadilan and Amanah and this is a very positive development because again this reflects the sheer incompetence of the MB (chief minister) and they have to take measures and… It is a good start, otherwise, we will have allowed them to continue the negotiations,” he told reporters at Parliament today.
Anwar said that PH party leaders in Perak are free to talk to other parties, but stressed that negotiations must be based on the principles of good governance and commitment to reforms.
“Negotiations are based on principles of governance, transparency. To us, it is about good governance.
“How do you assure or ensure that any change is only acceptable or recommended only if you can ensure stability and commitment to reforms and good governance?’’ he asked.
Asked if Perak Umno chief Datuk Saarani Mohamad made a good choice to be the next mentri besar, Anwar sidestepped.
“We have not discussed that. We have allowed purely the Perak state leaders to deliberate at length and decide and make the necessary recommendations,” he replied.
Last Friday, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu lost his majority in Perak state assembly, forcing the Bersatu deputy president to resign as mentri besar.
In a no-confidence motion tabled by Umno’s Pengkalan Baru representative Datuk Abd Manap Hashim, a combined 48 state assemblymen from Umno and PH voted against him, while only 10 voted in his favour. The last vote was a spoilt vote.
At the moment, the 59-seat Perak Legislative Assembly has 25 Barisan Nasional assemblymen, all from Umno.
DAP has 16, Amanah (five), Bersatu (five), PKR (three), PAS (three), while Gerakan has one and the last is an independent assemblyman.
A simple majority of 30 seats is required to form a state government.