Friday 14 March 2008

A Minority Government Could End Perak's Crisis

A minority government may be formed following the failure to set up a coalition government in Perak to end the current crisis over the appointment of the Menteri Besar (MB), according to a Law professor.

Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, a senior professor of law from Universiti Teknologi MARA says Perak's deadlock can be solved by a minority government where the Sultan can appoint the party that did not enjoy a simple majority for the purpose of advising His Highness to call for a new election.

Continue with the Bernama report:

Dr Shad said the Sultan did not have the discretion to call for a new election without the existence of a minority government as Malaysia adopted the constitutional monarchy system.

Alternatively, he said, the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition could come to a consensus over the nomination of the candidate for the MB's post instead of submitting three names, one from each party for the Perak Regent's consent.

"There should be a clear-cut leader. If the coalition is united, they should speak with one voice to convince the Ruler," said Dr Shad over a telephone interview with Bernama tonight.

It is a unique situation in Perak where no party enjoys a simple majority to form
a state government.

Asked whether the party that won the most seats is entitled to lead the state government, he said nowhere was this provided in the law.

The general election saw the opposition winning in Perak where the DAP grabbed 18 state seats while PKR and PAS won 7 and 6 seats respectively.

On the other hand, the Barisan Nasional won 28 seats. Earlier, Perak PAS liaison secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was picked as the MB of Perak by the Sultan.

The swearing-in of the new Perak Menteri Besar which was scheduled for yesterday had been
postponed indefinitely.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Padan muka korang. If Tuanku chooses this method. You think this is a game, a child's play?

I’m beginning to regret my decision to vote for the Opposition.

Like many other concerned Malaysians, I was also taken in my sesnse of frustratiosn with the BN.

Didnt expect this kind of fiasco, especially in Perak.