SLIM RIVER: Barisan Nasional is getting a taste of is own medicine, Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin said, pointing out the ruling coalition had used the speaker’s powers successfully to protect its interests for 50 years and it is crying now that the same powers are being used against them in the Perak state assembly.
The ousted Perak Menteri Besar told hundreds at a ceramah in Felcra Serigala here last night that state speaker V. Sivakumar was just using powers “created” by Barisan Nasional to suspend Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir and his executive council from the assembly.
“Today, we can topple the new government easily but we follow laws and regulations, unlike them, who grab in despicable ways,” Nizar was quoted as saying by the Pas website HarakahDaily.net.
Nizar, who is vacating the menteri besar’s official residence today, said the suspension meant Barisan Nasional only had 21 seats in the 59-seat assembly against Pakatan Rakyat’s 28 making them eligible to run the state. There are three independents in the assembly.
He also said that the assembly would be automatically dissolved if it doesn’t meet by next May, giving rise to speculation for snap polls. Perak ruler Sultan Azlan Shah had earlier rejected Nizar’s request to dissolve the assembly but commanded him to resign.
The Pasir Panjang assemblyman has refused and has filed a suit disputing Zambry’s legality as menteri besar. The suit is now being heard in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
“They forget that the high and big powers that the Barisan Nasional had given to the speaker 50 years ago is now being used, to the letter,” Nizar said, disclosing that he has yet to receive official notice cancelling his term as menteri besar.
“I still have the instrument of office and it has not been cancelled. It is an appointment by the Sultan and witnessed by the High Court judge,” he added, saying he will only lose office if he resigned, lost a vote of confidence or if the assembly is dissolved.
He also challenged Umno and Barisan Nasional to face Pakatan Rakyat in elections instead of taking power through ‘back-door’ means.
“Umno is cowardly. It grabbed power because it is scared to lose, like in Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider
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