At Putrajaya, Najib, in his capacity as BN chief in Perak, announced that the Barisan is ready to form the government now that it has the necessary numbers to command the majority. From left are Nasaruddin, Hee, Osman and Jamaluddin
Ipoh: Malaysia's next prime minister won an influential royal leader's support on thursday in a political battle with the opposition, clearing the way for the ruling coalition to seize control of a key state, Perak.Recapturing northern Perak state would be a triumph for Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Rajak, who, supporters hope, will revive the ruling National Front coalition's flagging popularity when h
e takes over the premiership in late March.
It is also a blow to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's three-party alliance, which won an unprecedented 5 of Malaysia's 13 states in elections last year.
Najib insisted his coalition had wrested control of Perak's legislature after three lawmakers quit the opposition on Wednesday and became "friendly independents" for the Front.
Both sides now have 28 seats in Perak's 59-member legislature, but the National Front claims it effectively has control because the three independents would back it in any vote.
Najib and the National Front's state lawmakers met Perak's royal ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, yesterday to seek his endorsement of the National Front's takeover.
Malaysia's hereditary state sultans perform mainly ceremonial duties such as appointing chief ministers, but they wield considerable moral authority and their decisions are almost never publicly di
sputed.
The sultan ordered the immediate resignation of Perak's chief minister and top state administrators, who are all from the opposition. National Front members will replace them, Ahmad Zaria Hamidi, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, told state-run television.
Senior opposition leader Lim Kit Siang accused Najib of making an "illegal and unconstitutional grab for power in Perak.
Source: Gulfnews
e takes over the premiership in late March.It is also a blow to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's three-party alliance, which won an unprecedented 5 of Malaysia's 13 states in elections last year.
Najib insisted his coalition had wrested control of Perak's legislature after three lawmakers quit the opposition on Wednesday and became "friendly independents" for the Front.
Both sides now have 28 seats in Perak's 59-member legislature, but the National Front claims it effectively has control because the three independents would back it in any vote.
Najib and the National Front's state lawmakers met Perak's royal ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, yesterday to seek his endorsement of the National Front's takeover.
Malaysia's hereditary state sultans perform mainly ceremonial duties such as appointing chief ministers, but they wield considerable moral authority and their decisions are almost never publicly di
sputed.The sultan ordered the immediate resignation of Perak's chief minister and top state administrators, who are all from the opposition. National Front members will replace them, Ahmad Zaria Hamidi, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, told state-run television.
Senior opposition leader Lim Kit Siang accused Najib of making an "illegal and unconstitutional grab for power in Perak.
Source: Gulfnews
Friday, 06 February, 2009
I never liked Najib. He may have tried to follow in the footsteps of Dr Mahathir but the man IS NO and WILL NEVER BE A Mahathir.
He loves the good life (women, good time, etc. not necessarily in that order) and is not corruption free. He may appear to be henpecked husband but is very afraid of his wife who loves shopping.
From where I sit and knowing a relatively a lot about Malaysia, I reckon, Najib at the top will be a step backward for Malaysia.
That said, I don't trust Anwar either. Little is known about his CIA connection.
I do believe that Mahathir has been the best prime minister and leader that modern Malaysia (and in Asia too) has produced. Pity, there's no one like him coming out from UMNO, except perhaps that young man who is in charge of education.
We'll see. I wish Malaysia the best in its quest.
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