The score was DAP 18, PKR 7 and PAS 6 which totalled 31 against BN’s 28. It would have been straight forward if not for the state constitution which provides for a Malay Muslim as a prerequisite for a Menteri Besar or Chief Minister.
For those Chinese supporters of DAP, who were rejoicing over the shocking, better than expected results, it suddenly dawned on them that there was a possibility of having a Chinese Menteri Besar! Most are unaware of the state constitution’s requirement and they just could not understand why the party with the most seats in a coalition cannot have its own MB. Then came the shocker that it is going to be from PAS! Not only was it a sensitive issue because DAP was deserted in 2004 because of its association with PAS and the perceived fear that the latter is bent on introducing Islamic laws. Recently, Raja Petra in his news portal, Malaysia Today, took great pains to explain that it is impossible because PAS stood for just over 60 parliamentary seats and even if they won them all, it still cannot amend the constitution.
Both DAP and PAS made it very clear that they did not collaborate directly but it was DAP with PKR and PKR with PAS. Barisan Rakyat was actually started by a group of well known bloggers and DAP, PKR and PAS happened to be signatories of their declarations. There were in fact some very creative designs, all aiming to either unite when voting or unite to go against BN. It would have been confusing to the voters if the logos were used in canvassing as the ballot papers show only the party logos of DAP, PKR or PAS.
It was therefore a very delicate coalition. The events within hours - the nominations of 3 names agreed by the 3 parties to be selected by the Sultan, Lim Kit Siang’s call for boycott of the swearing-in ceremony which was apparently before the agreement by the state DAP, caused confusion, criticisms and attacks against LKS. He had since apologised to the Sultan and the Regent, as it would seem open defiance against their decision as agreed.
Malaysiakini’s report gives a good account of events since:
Malaysiakini’s report gives a good account of events since:
Perak MB's swearing-in put off
Mar 13, 08 4:27pm
Mohammad Nizar, a PAS assemblyman, was to be sworn in at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar at 4pm today.
However, palace officials made an announcement at 4.20pm that the ceremony had been put off. No reason was given.
It is learnt that the three candidates for the menteri besar post were involved in a prolonged meeting with the Regent of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah at the Kinta Palace in Ipoh just prior to the swearing-in ceremony.
The meeting lasted from 2.30pm to 4.05pm, hardly leaving any time for them to be at the 4pm swearing-in ceremony at the Kuala Kangsar palace, which is about one hour from Ipoh.
It is not clear what had transpired at the close-door meeting.
Yesterday the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition in Perak agreed to appoint Pasir Panjang state assemblyperson and Perak PAS secretary Nizar as the new menteri besar.
State DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham and an Indian state representative were to be the deputy menteri besar (1) and (2) respectively.
Along with Nizar and Ngeh, PKR’s Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi's name was also submitted to the regent by the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition.
More stumbling blocks
However the appointment of Nizar was objected by the DAP leadership with party stalwart Lim Kit Siang saying that the party had only agreed for a DAP or a PKR menteri besar.
This morning the problem seemed to have been solved with Lim apologising over his objections and Ngeh stating that all misunderstanding have been clarified.
But in another twist of never-ending problems, PKR today issued a statement threatening to pull out from the state administration on hearing that eight of the 10 executive council posts will go to DAP while the remaining two going to other parties.
Originally it is believed that an agreement was made whereby DAP would get six exco posts and two each for PKR and PAS.
However, there was a last-minute change where DAP was given eight seats in the exco, while PKR one and PAS one.
PKR disputes regent’s choice
Meanwhile more details are emerging as to the details of the meeting the three menteri besar candidates had with Raja Nazrin this afternoon.
According to sources the main reason for the postponement of the swearing-in ceremony this afternoon was due to an objection by the PKR’s Jamaluddin over Nizar’s appointment.
Apparently Jamaluddin told the Raja Nazrin that he disputed the choice made by the regent yesterday to make Nizar the menteri besar.
It is learnt that the regent became upset with this and instructed all three of them - Nizar, Ngeh and Jamaluddin - to go back to the drawing board again to determine their preferred choice.
A statement issued by Ngeh earlier today indicated that Nizar was the regent’s choice to be the state’s menteri besar. According to Ngeh, the regent had rejected his (Ngeh’s) and Jamaluddin’s name although these were the first two choices.
It is also learnt that the regent had asked all 31 state representatives from the three parties to be present before him to swear the allegiance to the new menteri besar, whoever it is.
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