The spotlight will be on Perak menteri besar Zambry Abdul Kadir, his nemesis Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and Sultan Azlan Shah when the Federal Court delivers its verdict on Feb 9, hopefully ending the silver state's political imbroglio.

Universiti Sains Malaysia deputy dean of social studies P Siva Murugan agreed much of the nation's focus would be on these three individuals.

"If (the court) favours Zambry, there would be continuous dissatisfaction and the opposition will continue to question the independence of the judiciary," said Siva.

NONE "If Nizar ( left ) wins, people will scrutinise his next move to dissolve the assembly as promised and if the sultan would allow for the dissolution," he said.

Professor James Chin, lecturer and head of the political science school at Monash University said that whatever the outcome, the only solution to the Perak problem is to go back to the people.

Chin said he did not believe the decision will be in Nizar's favour. "He has lost at the Court of Appeal and in the other earlier applications. I do not think this time around he will win," he said.

Describing the Perak situation as politically unstable, Chin said BN cannot run away for the fact that power has to return to people to decide on their government.

Another academician, Professor Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the court matter showed the sultan's power and decision is absolute.

"The whole trial and the court case has the effect in defining legally, the power of the sultan in the administration of Perak. It will also show the sultan's authority has an immediate effect," he said in reference to the sultan's action in dismissing Nizar.

Relative calm

A five-man Federal Court bench heard Nizar's appeal on Nov 5, after earlier rejecting an application for a full panel to preside.

The bench, who will deliver their decision on Feb 9, comprises Justices Alauddin Sheriff, Arifin Zakaria, Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, Mohd Ghazali Mohd Yusoff, and Abdull Hamid Embong.

sivamurugan pandian 210508 Siva ( right ) noted that over the past few months things had been relatively calm, unlike when the whole fiasco started on Feb 4, 2009.

"It could be a signal that people have accepted (the Barisan Nasional rule). However, this is not a reassuring sign (for BN) as come the next general election, there is no guarentee the voters will choose to retain the same government," he said.

Chin said while investments have trickled into Perak since BN took over, it may not reflect the actual situation that things are returning to normal.

He, however, admitted investments could be an incentive or indicator to determine stability but it may not reflect that the state government are truly pulling in the investors.

"Issues related to investment are mostly under the purview of the Federal government. If the state and federal government come from the same coalition, there will be much a smoother process."

Siva Murugan agrees there are reports of an American and Singaporean company investing in Perak, and it seems to have stabilised somewhat.

PAS central committee member Mujahud Yusof Rawa, however, disputed claims by BN that it had attracted investments of RM11.6 billion during its 11 months rule last year.

"I think such claims are preposterous as it would mean the state is attracting RM1billion a month. The amount of RM11 billion in investments looks more like investment for the whole of Malaysia."

Mujahid, who is also the Parit Buntar MP, said the people should look at Pakatan Rakyat's administration, which was praised by the Auditor General in his report.

"This shows there is transparency, prudence and good governance in managing the state funds."

PAS preparing snap polls

On the possible outcome of the apex court's decision, Mujahid strongly feels the court will rule in Nizar's favour with snap elections being called for sometime in March or April.

"What we have now is an illegitimate government. The Perak constitution clearly states the post of menteri besar can only be declared vacant if a person vacates the post, the assembly is dissolved, or a motion of no-confidence is tabled on the assembly floor.

"Neither one of (those) things took place. It would set a dangerous precedent, as it would undermine the sovereignty of the constitution if the court decides otherwise," he said.

Mujahid said the state PAS youth is also gearing itself for snap polls where its members have been mobilised this Sunday in Lumut, with a gathering to organise and prepare for that eventuality.

pas chinese supporter club dinner 070906 mujahid yusof rawa "Once Nizar gets a ruling in his favour, (we) promise we will give the mandate to the people to decide."

Mujahid ( left) also said BN's portrayal of PAS as a junior partner in Pakatan Rakyat has diminished and the Islamist party had successfully overturned such perceptions and achieved its goals.

"Our relations with DAP is such that the party can now talk with the public about Islam. Compared to Umno, it had failed to change MCA's or its coalition partners perception on Islam," he said.

He denied allegations that PAS was losing ground and said it would work harder to retain its seats.

Siva Murugan said if BN wins the court decision, he does not see it calling for snap polls.

"The Chinese voters are the kingmakers in Perak and (voter numbers) have remained stagnant. They are not coming back to BN. Furthermore, with what is happening in MCA and Gerakan, BN would not risk calling for elections," he said.

Chin also echoed similar sentiments that BN would not call for snap polls if it wins the Feb 9 judgment.

"There is about one to one and a half years before the next General Election. BN would wait until then and not call for snap elections," he said.