Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today called on the people of Perak to remain calm and not get overexcited with the court’s decision.
“We will solve the problem,” he told reporters in Putrajaya.
The premier, who masterminded the February political coup, added that Barisan Nasional would file an appeal as soon as possible, “probably tomorrow”.
Well, it is indeed their right to file an appeal.
The only thing we can say conclusively about this is that Najib is foregoing the opportunity to take the view that elections here and now are indeed the best way forward.
In other words, Najib still wants to see Zambry govern the state of Perak. The only possible ‘positive’ interpretation is that Najib is still reserving his right to call for snap elections at a later date.
But I’m sure most will agree that this is a ridiculous assumption. There is zero to gain from having elections later but not now. By far the more reasonable interpretation is that this appeal signals Najib’s intention to hold power in Perak for as long as possible without elections.
If there were even an iota of sincerity in Najib’s talk of finding a solution together, the neutral and only ethically sound option of having snap elections would have prevailed.
By foregoing this, Najib’s character is on display for the world to see.
“We will solve the problem.”
Mr. PM, unless there is an option I have overlooked, it is clear that there are extremely limited solutions to this problem.
Either BN illegitimately runs the state without elections, PR runs the state without elections, or the assembly is dissolved. Najib himself has rejected the idea of a unity government, which I think is wise given it would never work.
I enthusiastically invite any single soul to offer a plausible option that has not been expanded upon. Any way out that has yet to be explored.
To me, there will ever remain only one - one I am absolutely convinced any objective person with no vested interest will agree is reasonable: return the democratic right of the people and let them choose their government through free and fair elections now.
If I had to guess, I assume the palace will not be inclined to grant a dissolution either.
I understand that all sorts of traps can be laid out by BN at this juncture. The nearness of this date to an anniversary of one of Malaysia’s darkest days, a day that led to an Emergency, is not lost on me.
Nonetheless, my present view is that without some sort of concentrated mass action - instead of the scattered, piecemeal movements so far that have not expanded much beyond the same old faces - will be required to bring pressure to bear on the decision makers.
Of course, if the Sultan decides tomorrow morning to dissolve the assembly, then Daulat Tuanku, and Malaysians will finally be able to move on. I’m sure we’ll all be watching closely.
The other question is, are the police going to be all pro-BN?
Pretty damned sneaky, their almost immediate move to surround the state buildings. Oh, but I’m sure it’s just to “protect” Nizar and BN :P :P :)
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