NO END IN SIGHT TO PERAK POLITICAL CRISIS

Nizar waves to supporters after filing the suit at the Kuala Lumpur High Court

PERAK, MALAYSIA - The political stand-off in Perak is unlikely to end soon as opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat keeps up the pressure despite former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin's decision to leave his official residence.

PR filed a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Ipoh yesterday against new Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, accusing him of abusing his power by appointing three advisers and a state information chief with state executive councillor status.
Nizar said he would file a suit in Kuala Lumpur High Court today to seek legal redress on Zambry's appointment. He said moving out did not mean that he or PR had conceded defeat to Barisan Nasional.
His state government was toppled when three opposition lawmakers and an assemblyman quit PR and pledged their support for BN.
BN's move is seen as a coup by the people and has upset many, including some Malays who had been supporting Umno until the polls last March.
The Perak community, dominated by the Malays, is now divided, with half of them disagreeing with the way the new state government was formed.
A survey released ahead of two key by-elections by the independent body Merdeka Centre, showed that 59 per cent of the 238 Malays interviewed supported the call for fresh polls.
Survey also found that 74 per cent of 504 Perak voters felt the assembly should be dissolved, while 76 per cent said “the people, through elections” should decide on forming government. Sixty-two per cent of the respondents felt that the role of the palace — by ordering Nizar to resign — “does not reflect the will of the people of Perak”.
The Election Commission will announce the dates today for the Bukit Gantang poll in Perak and the Bukit Selambau by-election in Kedah, which fell vacant after the death of an MP and the resignation of an assemblyman.
Source: The Straits Times