Perak MB on the way out after losing confidence motion

Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu today lost a confidence motion brought against him in the state legislative assembly, in a sign of a widening rift between him and Umno.

A total of 48 assemblymen voted against him while 10 voted in support of him and one abstained.

Perak Speaker Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid made the announcement after a bloc vote which saw assemblymen voting through ballot papers.

The Perak state assembly comprises 25 representatives from Umno, 16 from DAP, five from Bersatu, five from Amanah, three from PKR, three from PAS, one from Gerakan and one independent.

Faizal said he accepted the decision, adding that there was no need to prolong further political instability at this time.

“As menteri besar, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition,” he said, thanking the assemblymen as well as the Perak sultan for putting his trust in him to lead the state.

Zahir meanwhile said the decision would have to be presented to the sultan, and adjourned the assembly to Dec 9.

Faizal, who is Bersatu’s MP for Tambun as well as Chenderiang assemblyman, was re-appointed as Perak menteri besar in March after tendering his resignation following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Zahir had said on Monday that the motion, submitted by Pengkalan Baharu assemblyman Abd Manaf Hashim, was nothing unusual as such things had happened before.

“This is not a new innovation,” he said, adding that it was in line with the state legislature’s Standing Orders. “It has been practised before.”