IPOH: Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah says the frequent change of menteris besar in the state is not something to be proud of, after swearing in Saarani Mohamad to the post. It was the third such swearing-in ceremony since 2018.
In his royal address at the swearing-in ceremony, Sultan Nazrin said: “This is historic. It has never happened in a single term but this is not something to be proud of.
“This will go down in history as a reflection of a failure and not a success. A failure of political leaders to get a guarantee of strong support on a consistent basis which allows energy and thought to be focused on the administration of the state in the interests of the people.”
Sultan Nazrin reminded all assemblymen, be they from Perikatan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan, that the people had put their trust in them to improve their lives and see to their needs.
“All citizens of this state, be they Malays, Orang Asli, Chinese, Indians, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists are all creations of God. They are all subjects of the Sultan of Perak.
“They all want a state that is peaceful with an administration that is fair.”
He said many people have been affected by Covid-19 and that they should not be victimised by emotions of vengeance or outdated politics.
The sultan said he hopes the political crisis, triggered on Dec 4 with the ouster of former menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu in a vote of no-confidence, was now over.
Yesterday, the three presidents of Umno, PPBM and PAS agreed that their assemblymen would support Saarani as the new Perak menteri besar.
Sultan Nazrin thanked leaders on both sides of the divide, legal experts, and government officials who sought to help bring an end to the crisis, as well as Faizal and the previous state exco members for their service.
Saarani, the Kota Tampan assemblyman, took his oath as the 14th Perak menteri besar at Istana Iskandariah. Others in attendance were the Raja Muda Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Musa and Raja Dihilir Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.