No dissolution, new gov't to be sworn in

LIVE REPORTS

11.00pm Ceremah ends peacefully following a prayer session. Mohd Nizar the only top brass to speak. Others key figures present like Anwar, Hadi, Kit Siang and Guan Eng did not address the crowds, estimated at about 6,000 who were requested to disperse peacefully. They were told to attend Friday prayers at Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar tomorrow.

10.45pm: MB Mohd Nizar speaks. Says Pakatan will boycott swearing in of BN reps tomorrow although they have been invited. He continues, "We will never recognise this illegal BN government. We will create a wave of protest throughout the state and fight together with the people of Perak to the last drop of our blood."

10.40pm: About 1000 people are on the street between Sam Tet School and the MB's residence, reducing four lanes to one. The traffic jam created as a result cause many impatient motorists to honk, this time probably to show their annoyance.

10.32pm: Announcement was made that electricity supply to the MB's residence may be disconnected. If that should happen, the crowds were advised to stary calm.

10.30pm: Motorists passing by the MB's residence honk in support. Inside, speeches are punctuated by shouts of Reformasi and Hancur BN. Crowds continue to swell. Many line up the street outside MB's residence.

10.20pm: Crowds growing. Police are not preventing people from entering the MB's residence. The hall where the ceremah is held is totally packed. Many willingly stand outside to listen to the speeches from Pakatan leaders. Crowds estimated at 4,000 now. FRU troops now seen patrolling outside the MB's residence.

10pm: Ceremah is ongoing in the MB's residence. About 3,000 people are said to be in attendance listening attentively on the sprawling grounds of the official residence. Crowds appear orderly. Situation calm and peaceful. Only about 50 policemen present. Pakatan bigwigs yet to take to the stage.

9.30pm: Mohd Nizar says he still has hopes of getting an audience from the sultan. But he needs nothing short of a miracle as the window to meet the sultan is closing. BN's 28 state reps and three independents will be sworn in by the sultan tomorrow.

Mohd Nizar also reveals that he had requested Anwar Ibrahim to file an emergency motion on the Perak political crisis during the next sitting of Parliament.

"This is now a national issue. Everybody wants to know about it so let it be discussed," he says.

Mohd Nizar reiterates that Barisan was grabbing power in the state
without following through the proper process.

"When the assembly sits in April, they can have a vote of
no-confidence. Then there would be a smooth transition," he says.