Nizar to vacate official residence, file suit tomorrow

Ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin today announced that he would be vacating the menteri besar's official residence in 10 days.

At a press conference at the MB's official residence in Ipoh, the Pakatan Rakyat leader said he received a phone call from state secretary Abdul Rahman Hashim asking him to vacate the premises and he would respect the decision.

"As the legitimate MB, I wish to say that I will willingly and officially vacate the official residence in a week to 10 days time with dignity.

"We are doing this because we respect the rule of law and I must stress that this decision would in no way affect our legal fight to declare Pakatan Rakyat as the legitimate government of Perak," said Nizar.

Last week, Barisan Nasional seized control of Perak after four Pakatan Rakyat state reps quit their respective parties. One of them rejoined Umno while the rest remain as 'BN friendly' independents.

Following this, the sultan ordered Nizar to resign but the latter refused and has been holding out in the menteri besar's residence, turning it into his 'seat of administration'.

The embattled MB further said that he and his exco will continue to perform their duties and attend official state functions including a jubilee event at the Iskandariah Palace on Saturday.

Asked how he and his ‘administration’ would continue to perform their duties without office, Nizar said they can operate at the offices of their respective parties in Ipoh.

"As for the 'official' MB office, you can come to my rented house somewhere in the countryside," quipped Nizar.

Asked how he felt about having to leave 'his' residence, a high spirited Nizar said he would only be leaving for a short while and will return soon.

"The rakyat want the Pakatan governement to lead Perak so it's just a matter of making a short hijrah (pilgrimage) and we will return," he said.

Suit to be filed in KL high court

Nizar also announced that he would be filing a suit against the appointment of new Perak MB Zambry Abd Kadir tomorrow at the Kuala Lumpur High Court at 11am.

"We will seek to have the court cancel out the legitimacy of the illegal Perak BN government and to have it declare that the Pakatan Rakyat state government is the legitimate incumbent.

"Our team of lawyers will file the suit on our behalf and I urge the people to gather peacefully to show support. Please act with restraint and respect the law," he said.

Explaining why the suit would be filed in Kuala Lumpur instead of Ipoh, Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham who was present said their lawyers had advised them to do so.

He also denied allegations that the suit would be filed in Kuala Lumpur following a lack of trust towards the courts in Ipoh.

Rumours are rife that the Pakatan legal team had actually sought to file the suit in Kuala Lumpur because one of the Perak sultan’s nephew is a high court judge in Ipoh.

Ngeh, however brushed aside such a suggestion.

State cars to be ‘placed’ at MB’s residence

Meanwhile, Nizar also said that the 11 official state government cars will be 'placed' at the MB's residence.

"This is done in accordance and with respect to existing laws and in no way be an act of conceding nor will it affect any of the legal suits we will file against the (illegal Perak BN government)," he stressed.

He said he had received a letter from the state secretary Abdul Rahman requesting that all 11 brand new Toyota Camry be returned to the state government by Saturday.

Acknowledging the request, Nizar said that he would have all cars parked at the official residence.

"The MB's residence is the best (and symbolical) place for the property (cars) of the rakyat to be returned to the rakyat.

"After this, our excos may have to ride their motorcycles or take public transportation to work," Nizar added in jest.