IPOH: Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Perak comprising Umno, PAS and Bersatu has gained the support from 32 assemblymen to form the new government in the state, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said.
Speaking at a special media conference here today, Ahmad Faizal said the support was given by all 25 Umno, three PAS and four Bersatu assemblymen.
The four Bersatu assemblymen are Ahmad Faizal (Chenderiang) and Datuk Zainol Fadzi (Sungai Manik), as well as Datuk Abdul Yunus Jamahri of Kuala Kurau (who is formerly PKR assemblyman) and Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi of Tualang Sekah (who is formerly Independent assemblywoman).
“The new coalition will form a state government which is stable and capable of forging close cooperation with the Perikatan Nasional coalition at the federal level to continue implementing the national development agenda and ensuring the well being of the people in Perak,” the menteri besar said.
Ahmad Faizal, who has previously led the state under Pakatan Harapan government, said the move to join the Perikatan Nasional was made because the state government needs to be on the same page with the federal government to provide the best services to the people.
The menteri besar also stressed that, at present, he is still holding office, but the new coalition has proposed a name to be appointed as the next Perak Menteri Besar to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah.
During the PH administration in Perak, the state has 59 state seats with UMNO holding 25, DAP (18), Amanah (six), PKR (four), PAS (three), Bersatu (two) and Independent (one).
The inaugural media conference by Perak Perikatan Nasional was also attended by Perak UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad and Perak PAS Commissioner Razman Zakaria.
Ahmad Faizal said the duties of all the 10 state executive councillors have also ceased effective today, with only him still holding the office of menteri besar.
Meanwhile, when asked the reason for the delay in announcing the formation of the Perikatan Nasional government in Perak, Saarani said it was due to the facts that there were some processes that need to be completed to achieve mutual agreement and desired results.
“We have to follow the process. There is no need to be hasty and create chaos. Better late than never,” he said.
Rozman, who is Gunung Semanggol assemblyman, on the other hand, expressed hope that the latest political developments will provide a comprehensive answer to the administrative issues in Perak. – Bernama