The Federal Court decision today will lead to a situation where there could be  “absolute monarchy” in Malaysia, claimed former menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said there will be no need to hold elections, since the ruler can decide on who can lead the executive at state or federal level.

NONE At a press conference immediately after the court ruled against him today, Nizar said: “This is the highest risk the country is facing now, (and) which we need to correct. The verdict I felt has set aside the principles of what (is) already in our federal constitution.”

Nizar also said he has yet to decide whether or not to file a review against the decision which declared BN’s Zambry Abd Kadir the lawful menteri besar of Perak.

"We will scrutinise the written judgment and then decide," he said, calling for calm among supporters.

"This is the saddest day (for) Malaysia as this shows the judiciary is not independent. Our target now is to win back Perak.

NONE “The people want to see that the judiciary has the independence to make its own decisions. But what you heard just now, shows that the judiciary is still not independent from the influence of others.”

The crisis in Perak cannot be ended by this decision, he said, but by giving the right to the people to vote for their representatives.

The decision, he further said, has completely neglected or set aside all constitutional principles.

“.... We have had precedent from genuine judges. Those have been completely neglected and set aside. This is the prerogative of the judges. But this is the saddest moment where democracy has been torn to pieces, the right of the people has been neglected. 

“An illegitimate government which did not follow the rules of parliamentary democracy has been supported by the judicial institution. This is sad as it would lead to other consequences.

Nizar also pledged that Pakatan’s other pending court cases - such as the one filed by former speaker V Sivakumar against the three defectors - will be pursued.