PM: Speaker is wrong

(The Star) – Attend the State Legislative Assembly sitting in order to serve the people and state of Perak — this the directive from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his six executive councillors who have been suspended by the State Assembly Speaker.

“Zambry and his exco members were appointed by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah. The action taken by the Speaker V. Sivakumar to suspend them is regarded as not respecting, objecting and rejecting the Sultan’s decision.

“What the Speaker has done is wrong. He cannot prevent these people from attending the State Assembly. I have spoken to Zambry about lodging a police report and he also shared the same idea. He told me that is what he intends to do,” said Abdullah.

The Prime Minister said the situation in the state was becoming not only worse, but ridiculous. Speaking to reporters yesterday, he believed Zambry would also seek an audience with Sultan Azlan Shah to update the Perak Ruler on the situation.

On Wednesday, the Perak assembly Special Privileges Committee chaired by Sivakumar suspended Zambry and his exco members for between a year and 18 months for showing contempt to the House.

Abdullah also acknowledged this was Pakatan Rakyat’s way of trying to topple the new government.

With seven leaders unable to attend the state assembly sitting, Barisan would have fewer members should there be a need for a vote.

With the suspension, Barisan Nasional will have 21+3 members – comprising 21 representatives and the three “Barisan friendly” Independents — while Pakatan has 27 representatives as the Speaker cannot cast a vote.

“I am sure what is happening in the state has some negative effect on the people and they are not happy with what is going on.

“When Pakatan won (in the last general election), we (Barisan) gave way to them to lead and administer the state. Now that the situation has changed with Barisan getting more support, then let us administer the state in peace,” he said.

Abdullah said there was neither a need to dissolve the state assembly and pave the way for an election nor was it necessary to call for a state of emergency as had happened in Kelantan in 1978.

Asked on allegations by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he had proof that Barisan had paid a PKR assemblyman to hop over, the Prime Minister declined to comment, saying: “Let Anwar do what he wants to do.”