Trouble in Perak

After the General Elections in 2008, Perak had always being known as a volatile state where the current Pakatan Rakyat state government had a narrow majority over the BN. Even within the PR state government itself, there was some initial uneasiness of a PAS Menteri Besar heading a state when the other coalition parties like PKR and DAP had more seats. So far, the latter complication had been more or less solved and Nizar Jamaluddin is gaining the respect for his role as the Menteri Besar. Personally, I think he did a great job so far as he had demonstrated that he was the MB for all Perak-ians rather than the MB for his political party. Somehow, he gives off a favourable impression that he's detached from all political affiliations while doing his job. It's admirable from his conduct, handling of issues and even the way he dresses that he's attempting to stamp a figure of neutrality in the state of affairs of Perak. This is contrasted with his more vocal counterpart in Kedah who is leaning more towards his party line in the construction of state policies.

Anyways, I always thought that the next big bust-up in Perak would probably involve the disparity of ideologies between the PAS and DAP but the recent crisis in Perak seems to be of a different species. It's a time of confusion and it started off when Bota Assemblyman Nasaruddin crossed over to PKR. That episode also resulted in the resignation of the former MB, Tajol Rosli as the head of state opposition. I think the obviously provoked BN machinery, now headed de facto by Najib, saw it fit that they go for a tit-for-tat retaliation over such an embarrassment. And in comes the revelation of two froggies who appeared to be "missing" out of a sudden. Up till now, I'm still confused over the issues. 1. Who gains more if both of them resigns? Why is PR adamant that both of them resign? 2. Do the two of them even want to resign in the first place? First, there were allegations that they are unhappy with the state PKR leadership and so they are seeking to be independent MPs. At the same time, they maintain that they are still MPs for their constituents. The two statements are conflicting with each other. And one of them, Jamaludin Md Radzi was once formerly nominated to be the Menteri Besar of Perak! Well, perhaps the Perak Sultan was indeed wise in his choice of picking Nizar. In this mass disorientation, out of a sudden, stories start to emerge that a DAP assemblyman is "missing" too. Allegations of cracks and faction fighting are starting to emerge. There were rumours regarding Ngeh-Nga stronghold facing off with another clique led by Fong Po Kuan.

At this time when it's near to Najib's consolidation of power in March 2009, caution must be given to the media reports that are being flashed around the country at this time. The initial mini problem in Perak can grow into a huge wild fire with just some prompting from ambiguous reports, assumptions and batu api sources. Perak is already as fragile as it is and of course BN sees no harm in sowing a few more seeds of doubts and confusion in the area to their advantage since it is up to them to knock off the stilts that are propping the PR state government. The mess is magnified to the extent where there's suggestion that the whole Perak state assembly should be dissolved. Unless the two fellas come clean in the public over their current stance and plans, everyone will be in a situation of disarray. It would also be good if HRH Raja Muda Nazrin Shah inputs some wise advice on this situation. For now, it's best to take the national media reports with a pinch of salt and counter compare them on the other side of the story with perhaps, the personal statements of Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang in their blogs.