A quick interview with several people in Ipoh indicated that most are open to the imminent appointment of PAS’ Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as menteri besar in Perak.

Most people are willing to give time for Nizar to settle in and very few showed apprehensions over him being a PAS member.

Below is a selection of the comments from Perak residents.

Ali, 41, parking lot manager, Umno supporter

The menteri besar must be a Malay Muslim. That is written in the state constitution. For now, its hard to say what this PAS menteri besar would be like. Let’s give him a few more months.

My main worry is that previous state institutions such as Tadika Kemas and Tadika Perpaduan (state run kindergardens) would be closed down by the new government. Barisan people might also be denied the right to use state-run facilities such as the various community halls. They might even deny class-F contractors jobs in favour of their own people.

However, if the new state government can reduce the burden on the public - like reducing quit rent, parking fees - they might win support from the public.

CJ Ong, 30, sales engineer

I have no issues with a PAS menteri besar just as long as he is clean, efficient and walks the talk. It can be P.A.S or S.A.P. it doesn’t matter.

I’m not worried about him introducing Islamic-type policies because even the non-Muslims in Kelantan seem to be enjoying a decent life. His immediate priorities should be reducing wastages, increasing efficiency of state machinery and equitable distribution of wealth.

Chua Chong Ee, 27, pharmacist

It doesn’t matter to me who is the menteri besar as long as he is a capable leader. I don’t care which party he is from. It is also important that we should respect our sultan’s choice. With DAP, PKR and PAS working together, I doubt that Islamic policies are the first thing on their agenda.

Putra Rumaya, 24, self-employed

reaction perak mb 140308 putra rumaya I think our way of life may change with the new menteri besar but as long as he can govern properly, I have no problems with it.

However, I hope they can resolve their differences soon. The situation looks chaotic now with the DAP boycott and all, and there a lot of police are on the streets. I hope the three parties can get their act together quickly.

Muk Ming Wong, 27, electrical engineer

It’s not fair that PAS gets the menteri besar post. They got the least number of seats.

Nasir Samri, 27, site supervisor

reaction perak mb 140308 nasir samri Maybe with a PAS menteri besar we would see less social ills among the Malays. However, I’m worried that the new government might only give business and hawker licences to their cronies. This has happened before.

What’s important now is for the government to be really democratic and listen to the people. They must also ensure that economic development is brought to the state.

Steve Low, 27, computer programmer

We have to give the menteri besar and his team time to prove themselves. I don’t think his Islamic policies would be detrimental as long as it beneficial to the people. This may include stamping out corruption and crime. If that is what you mean by Islamic policies, why not?

But if the new PAS menteri besar introduces some policies with religious tones that would be detrimental to non-Muslims, I trust that the rest of the other assemblypersons from PKR and DAP would voice against it.

For now, I believe that the new menteri besar would have to look at infrastructural development in order for Perak to be on par with Selangor and Penang. He should reduce red-tape and implement an open tender system for government projects. These alone would save the people of Perak a lot of money.