NEWS UPDATES

I realize that I had not updated it for quite sometimes. The last political news posting was before BN took over Perak. It was way back. So, here I am to updates all of you about our country’s political situation. From my perspective, overall, our political situation is getting weird and funnier. Why? I tell you why.

Kedah

February 8, 2009, an assemblyman from PKR, YB Arumugam a/l Vengatarakoo quitted his post as Kedah’s EXCO and as Bukit Selambau assemblyman. Reasons for his resignation are unknown. I read a lot of online news and blogs. They gave a lot of speculations. Here, I choose not to make any speculations. His resignation paves way for a by-election in Kedah.

Perak

We will also going to see a by-election in Perak. Not because Perak’s DUN has been dissolved but it is because Bukit Gantang MP, YB Roslan Shaharum from PAS passed away on 8^th February.

Now, about the change of government that had took place in Perak. On 4^th February 2008, 3 assemblymen, 2 from PKR and 1 from DAP quitted their respective party and become “BN friendly independent”. At the same time, Bota assemblyman, who quit UMNO and joined PKR, rejoined UMNO. As a result, BN has a total of 28 assemblymen while Pakatan also has 28 assemblymen. But, BN has 3 “BN friendly independents”. Therefore, BN has about 31 assemblymen. Because of that, they have the majority. The next day, Deputy Prime Minister had sought audience with Sultan of Perak to form a new government. Sultan of Perak had asked the then Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Ir Nizar to resign which he refused. On 6^th February 2009, new MB, Datuk Dr Zambry took oath of office. The event sparked a huge protest in front of Istana Kinta.

Now, the problem is whether the appointment of the new MB is in accordance with constitution or not. Pakatan claimed that Sultan has no rights to fire Menteri Besar. There’s only 2 ways to remove an MB that are the MB itself resign or by no confidence vote in the DUN. As expected, BN claimed Sultan has the power to do so. I am not a judge nor a lawyer or constitutional experts, I have no idea who is right and who is wrong. But, let just say that Pakatan is right. Why didn’t BN bring the motion of no confidence in DUN during the next sitting? Wouldn’t it be better as it will not create any confusion? After all, they have the majority.

Due to the “confusion”, Datuk Seri Ir. Nizar has filed an injunction in Kuala Lumpur High Court to declare himself still as an MB and the appointment of the new MB is invalid. The case is still going on. Pakatan does not stop there. The Speaker of Perak’s DUN has suspended the new MB for 18 months and his 6 EXCO for 12 months from attending DUN sitting. Because of that BN has 21 assemblymen and Pakatan has 28 assemblymen. Now, Pakatan has the majority and are planning to bring motion of no confidence in the next sitting, thus form government back. For the question whether the speaker has the power to do so, as expected, Pakatan said yes while BN said no. I have no idea. What I know is that I am really looking forward to see what happen in the next sitting.

Selangor

Another PKR assemblyman is under the lime light. Semi nude pictures of the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman, YB Elizabeth Wong, were circulated to the public by irresponsible individual. She has offered to quit his post as Selangor’s EXCO and as assemblymen but MB has yet to accept his resignation. She was told to be on leave until investigation on her case completed. If she resigns, there will be another by-election.

So, do you notice anything unique? There are 2 unique things.

1. The area where the by-elections will be held both start with “Bukit” and if by-elections are to be called in Selangor, it will also start with Bukit

2. The by-elections symbolize our multi-racial country. Bukit Gantang = Malay, Bukit Selambau = India and Bukit Lanjan = Chinese.

For your information, the by-election in Perak and Kedah will be held on 7^th April. Lama lagi. But if you ask me who I think will win. I think Pakatan has better chance.

That’s all for folks. Till we meet again.