Not impossible for PN-led Perak to fall if Amir win Slim polls – Nizar

SLIM POLLS | It is not impossible for the Ahmad Faizal Azumu-led Perak state government to fall before the next general elections are called if independent candidate Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi wins the Slim by-election.

This is according to former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin who gave a picture that Amir Khusyairi's victory would give an opportunity for few veteran Umno state assemblypersons to join the new Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang).

That would lead to the collapse of the state Perikatan Nasional government, which controls 32 out of 59 state seats, he told Malaysiakini.

"What I’m saying is that there were lots of confusion and dissatisfaction among the Umno veterans with the state government under Peja (Faizal).

"They served for at least three terms and some up to four terms. Yet, (first-term) Peja appointed new Umno leaders who serve less than two years as state executive councillors," he said.

"For instance, the late (Slim state assemblyperson) Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib served four terms but he didn't any position in the state cabinet," he said.

"There are four to five state lawmakers like him in Perak. If Amir (below) wins the by-election, it is not impossible for them to consider their status with the state government," he said.

Nizar, who is also Sungai Rapat state assemblyperson, was asked to clarify his earlier speech in Trolak on a few Umno veterans who had differences with the menteri besar.

After the collapse of Pakatan Harapan-led Perak state government in March, Faizal retained his position as menteri besar as he cooperates with Umno which holds 25 state seats and PAS, which controls three state seats. Bersatu also holds three seats.

"It is not impossible for them (Umno state assemblypersons) to join Pejuang. If the party (Pejuang) win in Slim polls, they may leave Umno and join Pejuang. Both parties are not much different apart from their principle," said the Perak Amanah deputy chairperson.

"If this happens, Perak may change again. We have 24 seats now and we will have 25 if Amir wins. So, when five (Umno veterans) come to us, it is then adequate for us to change the state government," he added.

The Slim state seat fell vacant after BN's Khusairi passed away on July 15.

Amir Khusyairi is contesting as an independent candidate as Pejuang, led by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is not yet formally registered.

Amir Khusyairi will go against BN's Mohd Zaidi Aziz and another independent candidate, former teacher S Santharasekaran. - Mkini