Perak MB suspends state secretary, legal advisor

Perak MB suspends state secretary, legal advisor
Andrew Ong | May 12, 09 8:28am
Hours after being reinstated as the legitimate government of Perak, Pakatan Rakyat got back to business by suspending state secretary Abdul Rahman Hashim and state legal advisor Ahmad Kamal Shahid.
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The two officials, who have been key allies of Barisan Nasional in the ongoing Perak political crisis, were suspended with immediate effect during an emergency state executive council (exco) meeting last night.

Reinstated Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin however stressed that the suspension was not a form of revenge.

"There were several things that they have done (over the past three months) which made us decide that they cannot be with us," Nizar told a packed press conference at 12.30am this morning at his rented home in Sungai Rokam, near Ipoh following the exco meeting.

"To give us peace of mind and for us not to suspect them, we have suspended them temporarily. This is not a form of revenge. We did this to fulfill the aspirations of the rakyat," he added.

Abdul Rahman earned infamy when he shouted at reporters covering Nizar's visit to his office shortly after being ousted, and also for closing down the state secretariat building to prevent the March 3 emergency state legislative assembly sitting.

He had also reportedly tried to stop Nizar from escorting Perak Regent Raja Nazrin Shah into a lift after the regent delivered the royal address at the May 7 state assembly sitting.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Kamal testified against Nizar during the ‘MB vs MB' trial. In his ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim said he could not accept Ahmad Kamal's testimony because he "seemed to be a partisan witness".

Audience with sultan

State financial officer Jamaluddin Al Amini Ahmad will assume the role of acting-state secretary while the Ahmad Kamal's deputy has been made acting-legal advisor.

Nizar added that the while the suspension was temporary, their status would be further deliberated at future exco meetings.

Nizar also announced that the exco had decided that the menteri besar would submit a letter later today to seek an audience with the Perak Sultan to propose for the dissolution of the state assembly to pave way for state elections.

"We want to allow the public, who is waiting anxiously, to exercise their rights to choose their government," he said.

He clarified that though he will be attending the royal investiture this morning, attended by Perak Regent Raja Nazrin Shah, as an audience had not been granted.

On his relationship with the palace, Nizar described that it was "very good", citing his short conversation with the regent before and after the royal address on May 7 as proof.

"Tuanku said that he can work with Pakatan (and) I accompanied Tuanku to the lift and to his car. The whole time Tuanku was talking to me. He didn't say a word to (BN menteri besar) Zambry (Abdul Kadir)," he said.

Policies to continue

Nizar also announced that the exco has decided to continue policies implemented by the BN government over the past three months if it was deemed "good for the rakyat".

However, detrimental policies would be subject to reviewed.

He announced that all 817 village development and security committees (JKKKs), sacked by Zambry's administration, would be asked to continue their duties, while 318 local government councillors would be sworn in as soon as possible.

On Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's apparent offer for a bi-partisan solution to the Perak crisis, Nizar offered a tongue-in-cheek reply that the ‘People First' portion of the Najib's 1Malaysia slogan needs to be adhered to first.

"The people of Perak want the state assembly to be dissolved. That is the wish of the people and it should be prioritised. Once that is fulfilled, I think we can talk," he said.

On the court decision falling on Umno's 63rd anniversary yesterday, Nizar said that the ruling was the "people's birthday cake" for Umno.

"We wish them happy birthday. Accept this as the rakyat's present," he said.