In farewell speech, Faizal thanks excos, says he misses Harapan

 

In his farewell speech, outgoing Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu not only expressed appreciation for his state executive council and lawmakers from both sides of the divide but said that he missed his former colleagues in Pakatan Harapan.

"I would like to say a few words to the honourable members who had made a decision together for the good of the people. I accept it (your decision)," he said after losing a vote of confidence in the state legislative assembly today.

"With the economic uncertainty, with employment issues among the people and more, this political issue need not be prolonged.

"As the menteri besar for now, I am committed to ensuring the transition to a new government will be done with dignity," he added.

Faizal lauded his colleagues in the state executive council for producing an exceptional state budget and urged his successor to continue with the good policies which have been implemented during his administration.

"I would like to thank my comrades in Pakatan Harapan. I miss you guys sometimes actually. Seriously," he said.

At the state legislative assembly sitting earlier today, the House decided to fast track a motion of confidence for the menteri besar which saw 48 out of 59 state lawmakers voting against him. Ten had voted for him while one vote was considered spoiled or abstention.

The confidence vote was initiated by Abdul Manaf Hashim's (BN-Pengkalan Bharu) motion. It was initially positioned last on the Order Paper.

Ahmad Faizal, 50, the Chenderian state assemblyperson, was appointed menteri besar during Pakatan Harapan era in May 2018 and was returned to power after his party Bersatu quit Harapan and joined the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition.

"I have been the menteri besar since the last polls, a loner but destined by Allah to be appointed as the menteri besar and I think that this term is the best term for us to correct what is wrong," said Ahmad Faizal.

"I hope that the new leadership of the state will be able to rectify what is not good," he said.

”We need to ensure all state GLCs and agencies are not redundant and the government officers are more efficient in taking action," added Ahmad Faizal in his speech. - Mkini