Perak battle moves to Court of Appeal, Royal keeps mum!!!

In contrary to the tight security at the Perak state secretariat yesterday, this morning the situation at the state's centre of power was much calmer.

Barisan Nasional's Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir punched in for work at 9.16am, along with his exco members, and did not face any tough time in gaining entry to the secretariat.

Yesterday Pakatan Rakyat's Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his exco members were met by a large contingent of riot police. At least five Federal Reserve Unit trucks, one water cannon and about 50 uniformed policemen were seen milling around the compound.

The police had taken up positions at the building since Monday evening, soon after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Nizar was the rightful MB.

And when Nizar's entourage had arrived at about 7.45am, they were not allowed to enter the secretariat immediately.

The main gate was opened just enough to allow Nizar and his exco members to slip into the compound.

This morning however the police security has eased considerably. The traffic situation is almost normal while the FRU personnel are in a more relaxed mood (photo above).

The roadblock at the back entrance of the state secretariat has been removed although there still is a presence of some police personnel.

Zambry is starting work today with the intention of reversing whatever policy decisions made by Nizar in his seven-hour control of the state yesterday.

He clocked in at 9.15am and is expected to have a cabinet meeting with his six executive councillors (photo above).

Nizar to set aside stay order

However the fight for the state will not be fought at the state secretariat today - it is expected to be argued before judges at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

Nizar's lawyers are expected to file an application this morning to set aside the stay order granted to his rival Zambry yesterday that allowed the BN man to regain the menteri besar's post again.

The latest round of the intense battle for the right to be the menteri besar started on Monday when the High Court ruled that Nizar was the rightful and legitimate menteri besar of Perak.

With the decision, he then assumed control of the state secretariat yesterday morning.

However within hours, Zambry managed to obtain a stay order against the High Court decision, pending his appeal which will be heard in a date to be fixed soon, causing in the post being given back to him.

Nizar and his exco members had to vacate the state secretariat, to which Zambry and his exco members will be moving back in this morning.

But Zambry's re-entry into the MB's office could be temporary, pending on Nizar's application to set aside the stay order which his lawyers were hoping to be heard and disposed today.

Alternatively Zambry could cement his position by having his appeal heard and allowed today as well to overturn the High Court ruling on the legitimacy of the menteri besar's post.

Answering a question on his legitimacy as the MB, Zambry told reporters as he arrived at the state secretariat to "leave that matter to the court".

Malaysiakini
13/05/09

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