Harapan Reps Say Perak Govt Ticking Time Bomb Umno Denies Pn Defection

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Perak Pakatan Harapan leaders say the present Perikatan Nasional (PN) state government is a ticking time bomb and claim at least six Umno leaders are considering jettisoning Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s administration.
This is especially if PKR president Anwar Ibrahim succeeds in forming a new federal government with Umno.
Perak Umno, meanwhile, has denied the allegations.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Perak PKR information chief Muhammad Arafat Varisai Mahamad (above) alleged that many Perak Umno leaders were dissatisfied with Faizal, who is Bersatu’s deputy president.
“I can see tension between Umno and Bersatu in many issues in the state.
“For example, the state government has yet to appoint village chiefs and committees (JKKK). There have been no appointments despite the government’s formation a long time ago (in March).
“Besides that, Umno members, not Harapan, are the ones highlighting the abuse of power and weak administration in Perak,” Arafat said.
Umno wants Umno MB
Elaborating, the Hulu Kinta assemblyperson alleged that “at least” six Umno state representatives were prepared to defect to Harapan.
The 59-seat Perak state assembly comprises Umno (25 seats), DAP (16), Amanah (5), Bersatu (4), PKR (3), PAS (3), and Gerakan (1) as well as two independents.
Should six cross over from Umno to join Harapan’s DAP, Amanah, and PKR; this will give them a razor-thin one-seat majority with 30 seats.
“Personally, I have a good relationship with several Umno assemblypersons in Perak. They said they had pressured the Umno top leadership to change the Perak MB to be someone from Umno.
“For Umno, the PN government in Perak was formed on the basis of penyatuan ummah (unification of the Muslim community), but Bersatu does not respect that unification.
“Therefore, I foresee most Umno assemblypersons in Perak will follow the federal government if Anwar forms the government with Umno MPs. As far as I know, at least six Umno assemblypersons would rather be with Harapan than Bersatu,” he claimed, not revealing who the six are.
On Sept 23, Anwar announced that he had secured enough crossovers to obtain “a solid and convincing majority” in the Dewan Rakyat. He has been granted an audience before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow (Tuesday).
Umno president Zahid Hamidi, meanwhile, previously indicated that “many” from his party were backing the counter-coup.
Rather enemies than traitors
DAP Sungkai representative A Sivanesan similarly welcomed the idea of working with Umno.

A Sivanesan
“Working with enemies is easier than working with traitors.
“When I was the executive councillor, I was used to getting calls from Umno leaders asking for help for their community and area. I have helped them before.
“It is not impossible to form a government comprising Umno and Harapan,” he said when contacted.
Sivanesan added that PN’s Umno, Bersatu, and PAS were in disagreement over many issues.
Kedah, Malacca, and Johor next
Meanwhile, Amanah Sungai Rapat assemblyperson Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin touted that other PN state governments were also in jeopardy.
“These (Perak) assemblypersons will follow Umno MPs from their area if they support Anwar at the federal level.
“Not just in Perak but in Kedah, Malacca, and also in Johor,” said the former menteri besar.
Following February’s “Sheraton Move” political coup in Putrajaya, four Harapan state governments switched hands to PN.
PN has precarious majorities in Johor but comfortable margins in Perak, Kedah, and Malacca.
‘Working with Harapan a nightmare’
When contacted, Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad denied that Umno assemblypersons would work with Harapan.

Saarani Mohamad
“What a nightmare. We are the ones who formed PN in Perak. There is no reason for us to support Anwar.
“Maybe this will happen at the federal level because we hear that PN seats are unstable.
“But this won’t happen in Perak. We have 35 seats, no instability. There is no need to cross over to Harapan,” he said.
The four-term Kota Tampan assemblyperson was previously the party’s menteri besar candidate, especially since Umno has the most seats in the legislative assembly.
The menteri besar during the Harapan state government, Faizal was eventually reappointed in May to head the PN administration. - Mkini

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