Zahid apologises for Faizal's ouster, PN backs Saarani as MB

 

BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has apologised on behalf of Perak BN, following the ouster of Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu as menteri besar.

Following this, BN, PAS, and Bersatu have agreed to back Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad as the state's new menteri besar.

The apology was made during a meeting between Zahid, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, and the secretaries-general of BN (Annuar Musa), PAS (Takiyuddin Hassan), and Bersatu (Hamzah Zainudin) today.

"In the meeting, the BN chairperson had extended an apology on behalf of Perak BN assemblypersons for the mistake," read a joint statement by the secretaries-general.

Last Friday, Umno moved a motion of confidence in the Perak legislature, only to vote against it together with the opposition, to remove Faizal as menteri besar.

Perak Umno had reportedly been unhappy with the Bersatu deputy president, especially over a unilateral appointment of an Umno assemblyperson as his political secretary.

Following this, PAS had announced that they would not join in forming a new state government, while Bersatu expressed dismay over the Umno move.

Besides agreeing to back Saarani today, BN, Bersatu and PAS also came to an agreement on other appointments in the state government. There were no details on this.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation both in Perak and at the federal level.

Takiyuddin shared a photo on Twitter of Muhyiddin, Zahid and Hadi all signing a document.

"Cooperation (muafakat) has been signed," he remarked.

Earlier, Faizal told the Dewan Rakyat that the problem was solved.

"After being referred by Bagan Datuk (Zahid) and Marang (Hadi), I have learned that the problem in Perak has been resolved," he said.

Faizal (PN-Tambun) said this out of the blue when he stood up to debate an unrelated motion on the Local Government and Housing Ministry's budget.

Zahid, who sat beside him, flashed a broad smile when the remark was made. - Mkini