Published February 5, 2009

Perak state govt collapses with defections to BN

Ruler defers decision on state assembly dissolution; BN likely to form next govt

By S JAYASANKARAN
IN KUALA LUMPUR

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THE Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government of Perak state collapsed yesterday after three of its former representatives said they would support the opposition Barisan Nasional (BN) as 'friendly independents' while an assemblyman who had crossed over days earlier rejoined the BN. The news was announced by Deputy PM Najib Razak, who then offered BN's services in forming the state's next government.

Advantage, BN: Jubilant Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak (left), after a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday, with Mr Nasaruddin (centre), Mr Osman (second from right), Ms Hee (front) and Mr Jamaluddin (right)

Meanwhile, an effort by incumbent chief minister Nizar Jamaluddin to dissolve the state assembly and pave the way for snap elections was left dangling after Perak ruler Raja Azlan Shah deferred a decision on the matter. Raja Azlan's hesitation seems to indicate that a BN state government is all but inevitable, with the smart money arguing the ruler would be loath to call for what would surely be a bruising battle in the midst of a severe economic downturn. If an election is called, however, the betting would be on the Opposition winning big.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim reacted furiously to the news, accusing the BN of trying to form the government in Perak anyway it can. 'We are pushing for a dissolution of the state assembly and fresh elections in the state,' Mr Anwar told AP. 'We must go back to the people and get a fresh mandate. BN is trying to form the state government by hook or by crook - more by crook.'

In a day of high drama yesterday, state Deputy Speaker Hee Yit Foong from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) quit the party to become an independent. This followed similar moves by two assemblymen from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - Jamaluddin Radzi and Osman Jailu - while Nasaruddin Hashim, who had defected to PKR just five days ago, rejoined the United Malays National Organisation (Umno).

This leaves PR with 28 seats in the legislature, the same number as BN, and with the three independents tipping the balance. PR is made up of the DAP, PKR and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS).

The power shift had been rumoured almost as soon as the Opposition assumed power in March last year. Early in the week, PKR said that Mr Jamaluddin and Mr Osman, both of whom the party had suspected of wanting to defect, had their seats declared vacant after the party produced signed letters of resignation from both of them.

On Tuesday, however, the Election Commission declined to declare by-elections for both seats, saying that the matter would have to go to court. The following day, Ms Hee and Mr Nasaruddin announced their decisions, effectively toppling the government. Ironically, both Mr Osman and Mr Jamaluddin are facing corruption charges brought against them by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The events are a blow to the Opposition, which won the state against all odds during the March 8 general election. But it is likely to reinvigorate Umno and BN, which had been stung by a series of losses against the Opposition in two by-elections.