Saarani is Umno’s choice for Perak MB

Umno has picked Kota Tampan state assemblyman, Datuk Saarani Mohamad, as the party’s preferred candidate for the vacant Perak Menteri Besar post.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said the special Umno supreme council meeting tonight agreed unanimously to back the Perak Umno chairman for the post.

“We are unanimous (in our decision). Yes, its true,” the Padang Besar Member of Parliament said in reply to a question on whether Saarani was the chosen candidate for the MB post in Perak.

Meanwhile, Saarani when met on his way out of Menara Tun Hussein Onn, here, after the meeting, refused to confirm nor deny the decision.

Earlier today, a Perak Umno source said a total of 26 state assemblymen had signed a statutory declaration (SD) supporting him as the menteri besar.

It is learnt that the Barisan Nasional component party also managed to convince an assemblyman from Parti Bersatu Pribumi Malaysia (Bersatu) to sign the SD.

The move to find the next Perak MB and formation of a new state government gathered speed after former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and his state executive councillors resigned last Saturday.

Ahmad Faizal’s resignation comes about after he lost the support of the majority in the State Legislative Assembly following a vote of confidence on Friday.

The Chenderiang assemblyman, saw only 10 out of 59 assemblymen supporting him, with 48 voting against the motion, and one abstaining.

The motion was tabled by Pengkalan Baru assemblyman Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim and seconded by Temenggor assemblyman, Salbiah Mohamad and Pasir Pinji assemblyman, Howard Lee Chuan How.

The Perak Legislative Assembly has 25 BN assemblymen, all from Umno, DAP (16), Parti Amanah Negara (5), Bersatu (5), PKR (3), Pas (3), Gerakan (1) and an independent assemblyman.

A simple majority of 30 seats is required to form a state government.

Meanwhile, in a statement following the special meeting, Umno said the Perak Perikatan Nasional made up of Umno, Pas and Bersatu must be defended. Nst