Umno picks Saarani for Perak MB but yet to formalise nomination

 

The Perak Umno meeting last night decided to nominate its state chief Saarani Mohamad as the party's menteri besar candidate, according to sources privy to the gathering.

However, the party has yet to submit the Kota Tampan assemblyperson's name to Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah as negotiations with suitable partners continue.

Umno commands the most number of seats in the Perak state assembly with 25 representatives but it is still short of the 30 seats needed for a majority.

"Saarani (above) is Umno's menteri besar candidate. The decision was made at the meeting last night.

"There were no objections from other Umno assemblypersons," one of the source, who is part of Perak Umno, told Malaysiakini.

The meeting was chaired by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Earlier, Malaysiakini reported that Umno was considering three candidates, namely Saarani, Rungkup assemblyperson Shahrul Zaman Yahya and Pangkor assemblyperson Zambry Abd Kadir, who is also former Perak menteri besar.

The search for a new menteri besar came after Umno moved to oust Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu from the top post, even though Umno and Bersatu are part of the same government.

Faizal led a coalition state administration comprising Perikatan Nasional's Bersatu and PAS, BN's Umno as well as Gerakan and an independent representative.

However, Umno, which had been eyeing the state's top post, initiated a confidence vote on Faizal.

During the vote on Friday, 24 out of 25 Umno assemblypersons joined another 24 opposition Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons to vote against him, causing him to lose his majority support. Only 10 state representatives backed the Chenderiang assemblyperson. 

Faizal and his government resigned after his removal. 

PAS and Bersatu, angered by Umno's move, have yet to throw their support behind Umno's effort to form the new government.

Umno had indicated that it is also considering to work with Harapan if it cannot reconcile with its current partners. - Mkini