Zambry has a Plan B

By Zubaidah Abu Bakar (NST)

NO, he has not been using the services of a bomoh to ensure he remains in power.

And yes, he has no problem going back to being an ordinary assemblyman of Pangkor, if that is to be his fate.

But one thing that Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir cannot get over is the sad fact that the whole debacle over the legality of the Perak state government has soured beyond one's imagination, even taking on a supernatural twist.

Given the fact that another political hurricane is expected to hit Perak today, the 47-year-old politician in the eye of the controversy is maintaining his calm.

He is ready for any eventuality, although not really certain what is in store, despite being briefed on the possibilities by people in the know.

"I don't know what will happen before and during the sitting, but I am prepared to face them," he said of the much awaited, but controversial, Perak state assembly sitting today at which he hopes to stamp his legitimacy as menteri besar.

Described by close friends as one who is spiritually strong with his emotions properly in check, Zambry, sworn in as Perak menteri besar by the Sultan of Perak three months ago in place of Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, has not even once lost his cool in handling the challenges of his political opponents and their supporters.

He, however, appeared to be very upset over allegations that he and BN were using the services of a bomoh, permitting the shaman to enter the Perak assembly to cast a spell on the speaker's chair.

He lodged a police report against state Pakatan Rakyat Backbenchers Club chairman and Titi Serong assemblyman Khalil Idham Lim for defaming him and is contemplating taking legal action.

It is understandable that he should feel disgusted to be accused of committing an act unbecoming of a Muslim.

Zambry himself had chosen not to make public certain things he had stumbled upon inside his office at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan and the menteri besar's official residence, which he has yet to move into, that can be embarrassing to the previous state government.

His aides and those close to him think he has allowed himself to become the punching bag of people who were unhappy with the BN takeover of the Perak state government for far too long and that he should strike back.

Keeping tabs on the slanderous statements alone had proven to be a gigantic task as they are not only countless but also come from all sides inside and outside Perak.

The menteri besar has instead often laughed off and cracked jokes when netizens nicknamed him "zombie", "Mamak MB", "thief" and many more names since taking charge of Perak.

Zambry did rebut some of the allegations by Pakatan Rakyat leaders through media statements and his blog at www.zambry.com that was launched on May 1. Even these were worded in polite language.

"We cannot allow anger to rule our minds. They (detractors) are angry. I can also react in the same manner but it is not right to fight fire with fire. It's just not Zambry to do that."

Zambry moves about freely to perform his duties as menteri besar while fully aware that BN had lost in the court of public opinion with lots of resentment and reservations over the ruling coalition's takeover.

Nizar, who still maintains he is the rightful menteri besar, has also been performing his duties in his own way.

Nizar has confirmed his attendance and that of 27 Pakatan assemblymen at today's sitting and it is difficult to predict what will happen.

BN and the opposition coalition each have 28 out of the total 59 seats in the Perak state assembly while three others are independent assemblymen, who have indicated they will vote for BN.

If Speaker V. Sivakumar manages to keep Zambry and his six executive council members out of the sitting, then the equation would be seven less for BN, reducing their number to 21.

And assuming the three independents — Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) — are not thrown out of the house by the speaker (in whose understanding their seats are now vacant) and they throw in their weight, BN would still only manage 24 against Pakatan's 27.

The speaker will give his casting vote only when there is a tie.

Given this scenario and in the event Sivakumar rejects the motion to have him replaced, BN's attempt to replace him with MIC man Datuk R. Ganesan, the former Sungkai assemblyman, will be foiled.

Or maybe not. Zambry says BN has got Plan B.