KUALA LUMPUR, 5 Feb 2009: The Sultan of Perak has the power to dismiss his Menteri Besar even though the latter refuses to tender his resignation after being decreed to do so, a constitutional law expert said today. However, the power to do so is not within the provision of the Perak constitution but from [...]

THE political tussle for Perak took a dramatic twist today. Bota assemblyperson Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim rejoined Umno after defecting to Parti Keadilan Rakyat on 25 Jan 2009. Three other assemblypersons — Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) — left the Pakatan Rakyat to be “friendly” independents [...]

PUTRAJAYA, 4 Feb 2009: The Barisan Nasional (BN) is ready to form a new government in Perak following four assemblypersons in the state quitting their parties to support the BN, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “We wish extend our thanks if they have taken the decision to state their support for the [...]

PUTRAJAYA, 4 Feb 2009: Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be seeking an audience tomorrow with the Perak Ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah, for the Barisan Nasional (BN) to attempt to form the new state government. The deputy prime minister said this today after announcing that Bota state assemblyperson Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim has rejoined Umno after defecting [...]

(Updated 7:52pm; 4 Feb 2009) KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Feb 2009: Barisan Nasional (BN) component leaders today threw support for their counterparts in Perak, who now have enough state assemblypersons to form the new state government after four Pakatan Rakyat representatives left their respective parties. Gerakan deputy president and state Gerakan chairperson Datuk Chang Ko Youn [...]

KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Feb 2009: Although some may want the political drama in Perak to end with either a snap election or by-elections, according to a senior law lecturer, the Federal Constitution does not encourage such action. Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari of International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) said several provisions in the Constitution [...]