Najib: Pakatan not accepting reality
(NST) PAKATAN Rakyat can keep on dreaming of a dissolution of the Perak state assembly.
Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said a dissolution was not the only way to end the political dispute there.
He sternly reminded the opposition that the ruling coalition had the majority to rule the state.
"Remember, BN was the biggest party (after the March 2008 general election). Sultan Azlan Shah agreed to appoint Nizar (Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin) as menteri besar after the state assemblymen (from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and Pas) signed declarations that they support him (to head the state government).
"Now, the three (DAP's Hee Yit Foong and PKR's Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu) signed declarations to support BN (leading to the appointment of Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new MB).
"The sultan could have (reappointed) (Datuk Seri) Tajol Rosli but based on the spirit of democracy, the ruler agreed to appoint Nizar even though Pakatan Rakyat is not a legal entity.
"PR has lost the majority… we are using the same principle… it is not undemocratic or unconstitutional (to take over the Perak state government)," Najib said.
He said the problem in Perak arose over Pakatan Rakyat's refusal to accept reality.
"Why did they suspend six BN reps… it is against the spirit of democracy. We have the majority in Parliament so we also can suspend 20 opposition members of parliament (but), we cannot do as we please."
To a question from reporters at the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit in Manado, Indonesia, Najib said the calls from within BN for a dissolution of the state assembly were merely "differences of opinion".
"We will take it into account (but to take over the government)… is not against democratic principles.
"Changing of parties happens in other countries, too. (Sir) Winston Churchill did it many times, and recently a US senator also switched from the Republican to the Democratic party.
"And remember, who wanted to steal 31 MPs from us to take over the government on Sept 16 (last year)? The first attempt to grab power was by PR… we didn't start it but when they fail, they accused us of grabbing power."
Najib repeated his willingness to meet with Pakatan Rakyat leaders and that there should be no preconditions.
