Perak DAP has called for snap polls to resolve the current political deadlock or risk seeing the Silver State plunging into a debilitating crisis.
Its chief Ngeh Khoo Ham warned that if the crisis is prolonged, it would have a negative impact on the state and its people, especially in view of the global financial crisis.
The DAP leader was responding to the decision by the Perak state assembly's committee of special privileges to suspend Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir for 18 months and his excos for 12 months.
In a statement yesterday, Speaker V Sivakumar said the decision was reached because the seven had failed to provide an explanation for their contempt of the state assembly by declaring themselves menteri besar and excos.
Zambry was appointed menteri besar on Feb 6 after the BN coalition seized control of the state government amid cries of protest from their rivals.
However, Perak ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, decided against holding a fresh elections and recognised the legitimacy of the BN government.
Following this, Pakatan Rakyat's ousted menteri besar filed a law suit to challenge Zambry’s appointment.
Speaker's decision was according to law
Commenting on the suspension, Ngeh said the federal and state constitutions determine the powers and the roles of the speaker, the rights and privileges committee and the state legislative assembly.
"The decision of the speaker and the privileges committee was based on the legal and constitutional provisions and therefore must be respected," he told Malaysiakini.
"We will see how our constitution helps protect our nation against any party which grabs power unconstitutionally and illegally," he added.
By suspending seven of the BN's 28 state assemblypersons, the numbers have again tilted back to the former Pakatan Rakyat government.
Should the state assembly be reconvened now, it is almost certain that the seven suspended representatives would not be allowed into the assembly, allowing Pakatan to have an edge of 28 seats against BN's 24.
The suspension means that while BN can technically continue to rule, it cannot convene a meeting of a state assembly for fear that Pakatan would move a vote of no confidence against the government.
Should that be passed, then the assembly could be dissolved paving the way for a state-wide snap elections.
However, Perak ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, decided against holding a fresh elections and recognised the legitimacy of the BN government.
Following this, Pakatan Rakyat's ousted menteri besar filed a law suit to challenge Zambry’s appointment.
Speaker's decision was according to law
Commenting on the suspension, Ngeh said the federal and state constitutions determine the powers and the roles of the speaker, the rights and privileges committee and the state legislative assembly.
"The decision of the speaker and the privileges committee was based on the legal and constitutional provisions and therefore must be respected," he told Malaysiakini.
"We will see how our constitution helps protect our nation against any party which grabs power unconstitutionally and illegally," he added.
By suspending seven of the BN's 28 state assemblypersons, the numbers have again tilted back to the former Pakatan Rakyat government.
Should the state assembly be reconvened now, it is almost certain that the seven suspended representatives would not be allowed into the assembly, allowing Pakatan to have an edge of 28 seats against BN's 24.
The suspension means that while BN can technically continue to rule, it cannot convene a meeting of a state assembly for fear that Pakatan would move a vote of no confidence against the government.
Should that be passed, then the assembly could be dissolved paving the way for a state-wide snap elections.
19/02/09
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