In contrast to the tight security at the Perak state secretariat yesterday, this morning the situation at the state's centre of power was much calmer.

Barisan Nasional's Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir punched in for work at 9.16am, along with his exco members, and did not face a tough time in gaining entry to the secretariat.

Yesterday Pakatan Rakyat's Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his exco members were met by a large contingent of riot police. At least five Federal Reserve Unit trucks, one water cannon and about 50 uniformed policemen were seen milling around the compound.

sivakumar and zambry at perak state assembly 130509 03 The police had taken up positions at the building since Monday evening, soon after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Nizar was the rightful MB.

And when Nizar's entourage had arrived at about 7.45am, they were not allowed to enter the secretariat immediately.

The main gate was opened just enough to allow Nizar and his exco members to slip into the compound.

This morning however the police security had eased considerably. The traffic situation is almost normal while the FRU personnel were in a more relaxed mood ( photo above ).

sivakumar and zambry at perak state assembly 130509 04 The roadblock at the back entrance of the state secretariat has been removed although there still is a presence of some police personnel.

Zambry is starting work today with the intention of reversing the policy decisions made by Nizar during his seven hours as head of the state government yesterday.

Zambry was to hold a cabinet meeting with the BN-appointed executive councillors.

Nizar to set aside stay order

However the fight for the state will not be fought at the state secretariat today - it is expected to be argued before judges at the Court of Appeal in Putrajaya.

Nizar's lawyers filed an application at 2.20pm today to set aside the stay order granted to his rival Zambry yesterday that allowed the BN man to regain the menteri besar's post.

The latest round of the intense battle for the right to be the menteri besar started on Monday when the High Court ruled that Nizar was the rightful and legitimate menteri besar of Perak.

With the decision, he assumed control of the state secretariat yesterday morning.

However within hours, Zambry managed to obtain a stay order against the High Court decision, pending his appeal which will be heard in a date to be fixed soon, causing in the post being given back to him.

nizar suk fru 120509 police negotiate Nizar and his exco members had to vacate the state secretariat.

But Zambry's re-entry could be temporary, depending on the outcome of Nizar's application to set aside the stay order which his lawyers were hoping to be heard and disposed of today.

Alternatively Zambry could cement his position by having his appeal heard and allowed as soon as possible to overturn the High Court ruling on the legitimacy of the menteri besar's post.

Answering a question on his legitimacy as the MB, Zambry told reporters as he arrived at the state secretariat to "leave that matter to the court".

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