Royal bash: Will both MBs be there?

Perak's Barisan Nasional-appointed Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir today said it was not up to him to decide if his rival ousted Pakatan Rakyat leader Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin can attend Sultan Azlan Shah's jubilee celebrations tomorrow night.

When contacted, Zambry said the decision lies with the palace authorities and not him.

"It’s not up to me or the state government to decide whether or not Nizar can attend tomorrow's jubilee. It is up to the palace," he told Malaysiakini.

The celebrations, which will be held at the Iskandariah Palace in Kuala Kangsar, could be the first time both men meet face to face since the collapse of the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government.

Nizar, who has insisted that he is the rightful MB helming a legitimate government, said he and his administration will continue to execute their duties and attend official functions, including tomorrow’s event.

Speculation is rife that in order to avoid any awkward situations, Nizar and other Pakatan Rakyat excos, all of whom were invited by the palace while still in power, would not be allowed to attend the jubilee.

That speculation was reinforced today when Perak police chief Zulkfli Abdullah announced that the police would tighten security and close routes from Ipoh to Kuala Kangsar tomorrow.

Pakatan Rakyat sources said the road closures were meant to block their leaders from attending the event. However, Zulkifli denied the claim and said that it was not up to him to decide.

"It is up to the state government. If they allow them (Nizar and his excos) to attend then we will obey. If not, we will not allow them. There is no middle lane with us," said Zulkifli.

'We will definitely attend'

Asked if he would be comfortable in the presence of Nizar and other Pakatan Rakyat assembypersons at the event tomorrow, Zambry gave a vague answer.

"Like I said, it is not up to me but the palace. If they allow Nizar to attend, then we would accept it. It is not mine or the state government’s decision," he said.

Contacted later, Nizar’s personal aide said that they have not received any information barring them from attending tomorrow’s event.

"No, we have not heard of such a thing. Nizar is definitely attending the jubilee," he said.

All state rulers and government leaders including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, credited as the mastermind of BN’s take over of the Perak government, would be attending tomorrow's jubilee celebrations.