Updated 2.55pm, 14 May 2009
BN and Gerakan flags in Bukit Gantang in Perak
PUTRAJAYA, 14 May 2009: The Barisan Nasional (BN) is not afraid of facing the people should there be a fresh state election in Perak, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
“We are ready to face the people,” Najib said to reporters after attending the public sector’s Workers Day assembly here.
He added that the BN was not afraid of facing any eventuality, including state elections, if that was the decision.
But he pointed out that a fresh state election is only one of the options to resolve the Perak political crisis and not something that has to happen.
The prime minister reiterated that it was up to the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah to decide whether a fresh election should be held for Perak.
Najib was asked about the possibility of another election for Perak to end the current political crisis in the state.
On 11 May, the High Court ruled that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful menteri besar after finding that the post could only be deemed vacant through a vote of no-confidence in the state assembly.
But Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir filed an appeal against the decision in the Court of Appeal, allowing him to remain as menteri besar while waiting for the decision on the appeal case.
On the Barisan Nasional Convention which was supposed to be held early this year, Najib said it would be held later after some important matters had been sorted out.
On the position of Senator Datuk T Murugiah as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department following the crisis in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), he said a decision had not been made.
“We have to first look at the situation and developments,” he said. — Bernama
Steven says
Yes, only the sultan has the power to call for fresh election.
No, fresh state election is not ‘only one of the options’. It is the only option.
Yes, BN is afraid of facing the people in fresh election. If the general election changed BN to PR in Perak, the new state election (if approved) will see the death of BN in Perak.
Lainie says
Then maybe BN would like to go talk to the sultan and request for dissolution of state too?
What’s the other option? Presuming they are welcome in Perak?
Ng says
Good for you Najib. Since you are not afraid, go talk to the Sultan and tell him to call for a snap election.
beeyong says
Go. Go. Go. By-election at Penanti. State election in Perak. Rakyat loves such news. Rakyat’s favourite song is “We are the champions and BN lost again.”
ipoh mali says
Najib is so wrong, calling for elections is not an option but the only option for BN.
And come the election, I pray it will happen soon, BN will be wiped out as what Dr M said today, rest assured, BN will be history in Perak.
mike says
At the moment after the way BN messed up Perak and seem to be dictating to the judges, fresh elections is the only solution.
Our PM should be man enough to admit when a mistake has been made. Even pre-school kids in Perak are laughing at him now.
So let the rakyat speak!
mike says
The whole country wants to see the Perak crisis come to an end. The only option is to call for fresh elections and our learned PM knows that but he is afraid. BN pengecut.
M.K. says
He is just putting on a front because reporters keep asking him the same question wherever he goes! He is fully aware that BN will meet their Waterloo in Perak, should there be another State election. We the rakyat are just waiting to see the grand-finale of the Perak Political Impasse which we pray would happen soon.
bingbangboom says
Just give us our darn election already man.
Mustapha Kamal says
Really? BN does not fear fresh elections in Perak? I am a Perakian from the Changkat Jering area, and I positively beg Umno-BN to call for fresh elections in Perak! In fact, I dare them to! But I know where they will hide – in the Federal Court!
yong says
Since our PM Najib has said that Umno BN is not afraid to face elections, then ask the two MBs to ask the sultan to dissolve the assembly and the crisis will end after elections.
Nobody says Umno BN is afraid to face elections. It is the way they handle the situation thinking that they are the boss and not the people. They are using a kangaroo court and everything they can just to get hold of power. Isn’t it crazy? Everything you say is useless now. The only thing now is ELECTION if you dare as [Najib] said. Good luck.
HAJI TARMIZI says
Allah hu akhbar, Allah hu akbar, Allah hu akbar.
datuk kong says
I would say there are at least three options to help the people of Perak:
1. [Dissolve] DUN
2. Declare the seats of the three frog Adun vacant
3. Perak [darurat]
All three vary in terms of the level of democracy and preference between BN and PR.
Maybe rakyat (like me) will be willing to donate $ for the state elections. Looks like the ball now is really with the Sultan of Perak. The rakyat is ready to lead an example for the BN leaders to follow.. if only they want to learn. At minimum, choose option 3 to move ahead!