A Milestone:High Court declares Nizar the valid Perak Menteri Besar

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw describes the High Court ruling that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Menteri Besar as a milestone in the history of Malaysian politics.

Whatever the outcome of the Barisan Nasional's appeal against the ruling, the most logical step is to dissolve the Perak State Assembly and to have a new state election. This should be done according to the laws.

Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, who is an illegal MB, should vacate his seat peacefully.

In his suit on 13 February, 2009, Nizar challenged the legitimacy of Dr Zambry and the new state government.

High court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim read out his written judgement on 11.5.2009 for about an hour, saying that once Nizar has been appointed the MB, he is only answerable to the State Legislative Assembly.

Article 16(6) of the Perak Constitution states that if the MB ceases to command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lagislative Assembly then, unless at his request His Royal Highness dissolves the Legislative Assembly, he shall tender the resignation of the Executive Council.

The Perak Barisan Nasional spearheaded by Datuk Seri Najib took over the state government in February. Since then, we have reminded him that the unlawful usurpation of power in Perak is not the act of a statesman. As the Prime Minister, Najib should behave as a statesman., above all political parties and all races.

Barisan Nasional would like to have a peaceful discussion with the Pakatan Rakyat over the Perak saga. This is a possible step. If Najib likes to show that he is a statesman, then he has to help dissove the Perak State Assembly according to the laws, paving the way for a new state election. Let the people decide.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw