Yesterday, Ahmad Faizal was sworn in as menteri besar although Pakatan Harapan did not have a majority in the state assembly.
His appointment was made after two BN assembly members declared to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, that they would support Ahmad in order to help bring stability to the state.
Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin, an executive councillor in the previous government, said he and Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi did not hop parties.
“I presented myself to the Sultan to inform him that I supported the assemblyman for Chenderiang (Ahmad Faizal) as a candidate for menteri besar. That was the declaration that I signed,” he was reported as saying by Berita Harian.
Zainol was re-elected for a third term as assemblyman for Sungai Manik last week.
He said he had not been intimidated or induced in any way in coming to the decision, but had made it entirely on his own accord.
Nolee said on Facebook yesterday that the interests of the people and the stability of the state should not be put to risk merely because political parties with seats had failed to form a government.
“Realising this, I took a stand to ensure that a government was established according to stipulated procedures by lending my support to a menteri besar nominee, so as to enable the process to form a new state government, which was highly needed for the people, to be initiated,” she said.
Norlee, also a former executive councillor, won re-election to a third term as assembly member for Tualang Sekah at last week’s general election.
“I would like to stress that I have not jumped parties and am still representing BN,” she added. “I apologise, and am prepared to face and concur to subsequent action from the (BN) leadership,” she said.
Pakatan Harapan won 29 seats at the general election, one short of the 30 required for a simple majority in the state legislature. Umno and PAS won 27 and three seats respectively.
Support from Zainol and Nolee ensured that Ahmad Faizal had a clear majority and could form the government.
Zambry accepts new Perak govt formed after defections from BN