The newly minted Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad has received the unanimous support of Perak assemblypersons to continue as the state’s chief executive, including from opposition representatives.
When a motion of confidence was tabled in the state legislative assembly today, all assemblypersons present stood up to show their support for Saarani.
None stood up when Perak speaker Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid asked if anyone objected to the confidence motion.
“Since everyone has stood up in their place to show support, therefore this motion is passed unanimously.
“Congratulations to all assemblypersons for the political maturity shown today,” Zahir declared.
The motion was proposed by Jamilah Zakaria (BN-Trong) and seconded by Khairudin Abu Hanipah (BN-Belanja).
Umno's Kota Tampan assemblyperson was sworn-in as the new menteri besar on Dec 10, replacing Bersatu's Ahmad Faizal Azumu who was forced out of office through a vote of confidence a week earlier.
At a Pakatan Harapan press conference later, Nga Kor Ming (Harapan-Aulong) told reporters that the coalition and Saarani had agreed on a slew of reforms to be introduced in the state, some of which were mentioned in the menteri besar's budget speech that followed the motion of confidence.
He said this was in accordance with the advice of Perak ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah, and for the sake of the people and political stability in the state.
“Most of these are positive changes that will help parliamentary democracy flourish in our beloved state. This is the agreement that has been reached for the wellbeing and interest of the people,” he said, according to a video of the press conference by Sinchew Daily.
Among others, he said all 59 state assemblypersons will receive the same annual allocation of RM200,000 per year to provide services for their respective constituents.
All state representatives including opposition members will be invited to various district-level committees, namely the district action committees, district focus groups, and district disaster management committees.
The state government will also amend the Perak Legislative Assembly Standing Orders such that the office of the opposition leader would be given official recognition in the form of salary, allowances, emoluments, and reasonable amenities to provide an effective check-and-balance.
In addition, the Standing Orders will be amended so the Public Accounts Committee chairperson must be an opposition assemblyperson.
Asked who will be appointed to the role, Nga said the candidate will be decided later.
Meanwhille, Nga said Saarani has also pledged to maintain state allocations for both Islamic and non-Islamic affairs, as well as Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, missionary schools, and other types of schools.
“If necessary, these allocations can be increased in the future,” he said.
Despite these concessions, Nga said there would be no compromise in providing check-and-balances against the executive.
“We will continue to play a meaningful and important role to provide constructive check-and-balances towards the government.
“Where there are wrongdoing and misappropriation, the matter will be raised. There is no compromise on that,” he added.
Meanwhile, Perak opposition leader Abdul Aziz Bari (Harapan-Tebing Tinggi) told Malaysiakini that the unanimous support for Saarani does not imply Harapan endorses Saarani’s single-race exco line-up.
“The composition of exco is entirely within the prerogative of the menteri besar, and perhaps this underlines the philosophy of this government.
“It's their way, not our way. We have made it clear recently that we’re for a multiracial government.
“We remain the opposition and what happened today does not mean we are joining them or accept their policy or preferences,” he said when contacted.
He added that the state opposition has to take things step by step.
“We have to accept we can’t do everything at one go, one thing at a time. At the moment it’s to address the crisis especially the Covid-19 pandemic and everything that comes with it.
“That is apart from bringing the temperature down, politically,” he explained.
Aziz said that the recent objections by DAP's Terence Naidu (Harapan-Pasir Bedamar), Leong Cheok Keng (Harapan-Malim Nawar), and Leow Thye Yih (Harapan-Pokok Assam) to Nga’s move for open discussions with Umno were proof that the party was large enough to hold opposing views.
“You can see we are open to discussion. That’s their personal view and DAP is democratic enough to allow that,” he added. - Mkini
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