Ousting of Perak MB expected, says Nazri

 

Nazri Aziz says the Perak administration under Ahmad Faizal Azumu is not one chosen by the people.

PETALING JAYA: Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz says the ousting of Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu was expected, adding that it was in line with what voters wanted in the 14th general election.

Speaking to FMT, the Umno leader said his party’s assemblymen cannot be blamed for choosing to vote against Faizal, who is from PPBM, in the Perak state assembly today, adding that they acted in the people’s best interests.

“This Perak administration is not one chosen by the people. In the 14th general election, we got most of the seats. So I think this is in line with what voters want for Perak because PPBM took two assemblymen.

“We are not unfair. We had issues before. We tried to resolve them. The final straw that broke the camel’s back was the appointment of an Umno assemblyman as Faizal’s political secretary without consulting the state leadership.

“We saw that as a move to divide and rule. It shows no respect for Perak Umno. Finally, it seems, the state chapter has acted,” he said.

Faizal lost the confidence of the state assembly after 48 members voted against a motion of confidence in him today.

There were 10 votes in support of Faizal and one spoilt vote.

In October, FMT reported that the Perak government was at risk of collapsing as a result of discontent among state Umno leaders regarding their coalition partner, PPBM.

The source said Perak Umno leaders were “annoyed” with Faizal’s running of the state and PPBM’s attempt to dominate politics despite Umno holding the most number of seats in the state assembly.

Meanwhile, PPBM vice-president Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen rued the “unhealthy development” in Perak, saying all politicians should refrain from launching such a move when the Covid-19 pandemic was still at its peak.

He warned that the people will punish individuals and parties who prioritise their own political interests over the lives and safety of the nation in the next general election.

“The prime minister has already said that an election will be held as soon as the pandemic situation recovers in our country. So any efforts to change the leadership or bring down a government will only affect the government’s work and focus on helping the people.

“If it happens in Perak, I’m sure the same thing can happen in other states. For example, in Johor, if PPBM retracts our support for the menteri besar, I think we will see the same scenario there because the state government has a slim majority,” he told FMT.

He said all politicians should respect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree for them to stop all politicking and to focus instead on efforts to help the people. - FMT