Nizar says he is still MB, as clashes mark Zambry’s swearing-in

By Adib Zalkapli, Lee Wei Lian and Neville Spykerman

The scenes of heavy riot police presence in Kuala Kangsar will not quickly be erased from the collective memories of residents, as post-Friday prayer period became surreal. – Pictures by Choo Choy May

KUALA KANGSAR, Feb 6 — Perak’s political impasse remains unsolved after Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir was sworn-in as the new menteri besar by Sultan Azlan Shah amid violent clashes between police and thousands of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters outside the palace here.

Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is still refusing to resign, as he maintains he is still the legitimate menteri besar.

His supporters are now in control of the official menteri besar’s residence in Ipoh while hundreds of riot police stand guard outside the state secretariat building nearby.

National PR leaders have pledged their full support behind Nizar, and a protracted legal battle looms because Nizar’s administration is planning to challenge the Sultan’s decision in court.

They maintain that only a state assembly could pass a vote of no confidence against a sitting MB, and compel his resignation.

Its families out here on the streets protesting the apppointment of a new menteri besar, as fathers, mothers and children line up to let the federal government know exactly how they feel.

The state ruler, they say, should have listened to the advice of the MB, as stated in the constitution to dissolve the state assembly and pave the way for fresh polls.

At the heart of what is now a major constitutional crisis is the defection of four state assemblymen in support of BN.

PR leaders claim three of the lawmakers’ seats had been declared vacant by the state Speaker and as such should not have been counted as part of any BN majority.

Earlier this afternoon, Zambry was sworn-in as the new Perak menteri besar by Sultan Azlan Shah, soon after police fired tear gas and charged at more than 5,000 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supporters outside Istana Iskandariah here.

There was little joy on the streets of this royal town after riot police broke up the large crowd of protesters marching towards the palace after Friday prayers to show their support for Nizar, the man whom they feel is still the legitimate menteri besar.

Riot police charged at the crowd and at one point a pitched battle was being fought between the two sides.

No genie will come out of this smoke as police release tear gas upon protestors in Kuala Kangsar as the constitutional impasse reaches new lows.

The police fired round after round of tear gas, injuring scores including a ten-year-old boy who fainted, as a convoy of vehicles carrying Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders including deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, were trying to enter the palace grounds.

Most of the crowd eventually dispersed all over the picturesque Bukit Chandan, where the palace and Ubudiah mosque are located in this royal town, after riot police continued charging at them for half an hour.

The situation remained tense outside the palace as the swearing-in ceremony was taking place, with several hundred protesters refusing to budge. Many others stayed inside the mosque.

The crowd had earlier joined Nizar for prayers at the Ubudiah mosque while preparations were ongoing for the swearing-in of Zambry.

There was a standoff between riot police and supporters, amid chants of “Reformasi” and “Allahuakbar”. After failing to heed orders to disperse, police charged the crowd, some of whom ran back to the mosque to seek refuge. Some protestors were seen throwing bottles and other objects at the police.

Tie me up, hold me down. Police personnel secure handcuffs around a caught protestor up in Perak today. A price for democratic expression.

After the swearing-in, several hundred protesters jeered at vehicles ferrying dignatories leaving the mosque.

They also chanted and sang songs deriding Najib’s association with a murder case involving his former associate, suggesting this will be a constant theme as the deputy president prepares to take power next month as prime minister.

Earlier today Pakatan Rakyat continued its futile bid to overturn the decision of Sultan Azlan Shah.

State Assembly Speaker V Sivakumar sent a letter to no avail to the Ruler by 3pm to ask for an emergency sitting of the state legislature, and for a postponement of the swearing-in ceremony.

This morning, Nizar was escorted out of his office by Ipoh OCPD Azisman Alias, while other Pakatan Rakyat state executive councillors were also asked to leave their offices.