Perak denies reps will jump to topple state govt in July

IPOH – The Perak government has denied an allegation that some of its assemblymen will jump parties leading to a change in state administration in July.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the claim was unfounded because the Perak assembly had approved an anti-party hopping enactment on December 29 last year.

“There are 59 seats in Perak and to form a state government, there must be at least 30 assembly seats and the consent of the Perak sultan.

“Now, the opposition has 26 seats and the government has 33 seats, so they (the opposition) need to find four more seats to become the government. The question is, where do you want to find these four seats? We have the anti-hopping (law), if you ‘jump,’ then the seat needs to be vacated and an election must be held again,” he said.

He said this during a press conference after attending the launch of the Carnelian 2 single-storey terrace house-cum-Hari Raya celebration at Taman Meru Perdana 2, today.

He advised assemblymen with the state government to think wisely and not accept offers that will force them to abandon the rights and interests of the people.

“But I am sure that neither Pakatan Harapan nor Barisan Nasional assemblymen are excited to jump parties.

“People in this state should not be worried, Insya-Allah this state government will stay strong until the end of its term,”he said.

Previously, the state PAS denied claims of a move to topple the state government to make way for simultaneous state polls with Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. – Bernama, May 6, 2023