BN leaders back formation of 'new' state gov't

Barisan Nasional component party leaders have expressed support for the coalition to form a new state government in Perak, according to a Bernama report.

Gerakan deputy president and Perak Gerakan chairperson Chang Ko Youn said although Gerakan did not win any state seat in Perak in the general election last year, the party fully supported the formation of a new state government.

Gerakan lost all the four state seats allocated to the party in the election, namely Canning, Aulong, Kuala Sepetang and Jalong.

"Although we prefer a fresh election, we don't want to burden the people and strain any resources in view of the current economic situation.

"We believe that the resources should be utilised towards economic recovery. Having a fresh election would not be helpful at the moment," he said.

Chang said that it was not surprising to see Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons leaving the opposition pact judging from the state government's performance in the past 10 months.

"They have become very arrogant, causing dissatisfactions among their own YBs (elected representatives) and that is why some of them are leaving. The state government is dictated by two or three people, with the majority of the YBs being sidelined," he said.

MCA vice-president and Perak state chairperson Kong Cho Ha said the party would definitely support the formation of a BN state government.

"BN has the numbers. It is only natural for the coalition to offer itself to form the state government. However, for detailed arrangement, we prefer it to be discussed behind closed doors," he said.

MCA was allocated 16 state seats in Perak in the last general election, mostly in the Kinta Valley but only managed to win one - in Chenderiang, through MCA deputy Youth chief Dr Mah Hang Soon.

'Well done Najib'

Meanwhile, MIC president S Samy Vellu, in welcoming the change in the Perak government, congratulated BN leaders who led the change.

"The people of Perak can now be assured of continuous development. I urge the Indian community in the state to cooperate with the new BN state government to promote them socially and economically," he said.

MIC secretary-general Dr S Subramaniam, who is also Human Resources Minister, congratulated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on the "takeover."

"Under BN, Perak will enjoy greater development. This is the assurance of the BN government," he added.

The MIC was allocated four seats in the last general election, namely Sungkai, Hutan Melintang, Behrang and Pasir Panjang, but did not win any of them.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein said with the latest development in Perak, BN should now get closer to the people and learn from past mistakes.

He said the development also showed how fragile the Pakatan Rakyat pact was.

"All the while, Opposition Leader and PKR advisor (Anwar Ibrahim) is mentioning about dozens of BN assemblypersons joining to the opposition party but what happened today is on the contrary," Hishammuddin, who is education minister, said.

Choose new MB wisely

Meanwhile Malaysian Indian United Party president KS Nallakaruppan said Najib and other BN leaders should be commended for retaking Perak from Pakatan.

"It is a good start for Najib who will take over the leadership mantle in March," he said.

He hoped that the sultan would put an end to the uncertainty in Perak soon by asking BN to take over from Pakatan.

"And then BN must also choose a good menteri besar to lead the state," he added.

In Kuching, the four BN component parties - Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) - described the latest political development in Perak as a good sign for the coalition.