Najib: Court ruling proves BN acted within the law

(NST) – Singapore:Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Court of Appeal ruling in Putrajaya today declaring Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the rightful Perak Menteri Besar proved that the Barisan Nasional (BN) had acted within the law in the matter.

Expressing satisfaction and gratitude, Najib said the court decision also showed that the Sultan of Perak had also acted in accordance with the provisions of the Perak State Constitution.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, disclosed this to Malaysian journalists when asked for his comments at a news conference held at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Singapore.

The Court of Appeal found that the High Court had wrongly ruled on May 11 that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was the rightful menteri besar of Perak, and set aside the decision.

Najib said: "The present government of Perak is legally the rightful one and can continue to exist, continue to administer Perak, and continue to serve the people of Perak."
Najib said that with the court's decision in BN's favour, the Perak government would implement its responsibility with commitment to enhance the people's trust in the coalition.

He said the court ruling also emphasised that the authority to dissolve the state legislative assembly rested with the Sultan of Perak and that it was left to the ruler to make a decision.

On the by-election to be held in Manik Urai, Kelantan, following the death today of PAS state assemblyman Ismail Yaacob, 60, the prime minister said the BN would definitely contest the by-election.

Najib said this when asked to comment on Pakatan election director Datuk Mustafa Ali's statement that he hoped that BN would skip the Manik Urai by-election just as it had decided in the case of the Penanti state by-election in Penang set for May 31.

Najib said that as he had explained it was a question of principle, and that should any electoral seat fall vacant as provided for in the constitution, such as the death of the incumbent, the BN would adhere to the constitution and field a candidate.

"However, if any seat falls vacant owing to political games, then we will not dance to their (opposition's) tune," the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who was in the Malaysian delegation to Singapore, said Kelantan Umno would hold a meeting tomorrow night to discuss preparations for the by-election.

Mustapa, who extended his condolences to the family of the late Ismail, said the question of the BN candidate would be determined later.

Before the news conference, Najib paid a courtesy call on Singapore President S.R. Nathan at the Istana. Then, former Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong called on Najib at his hotel.

Najib, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and the Malaysian delegation will be guests at a banquet at the Istana, and would return to Kuala Lumpur later tonight.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today the BN will field a candidate in the Manik Urai by-election.

He said this was because the vacancy came about following the death of the assemblyman and was not a forced resignation.

"I am of the opinion that though it is still early, we will contest there when the vacancy is announced by the Election Commission," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Federal Territory Umno Liaison Committee.