Tough choice for Zambry - Malaysiakini

Fireworks are expected within Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) when Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir chooses candidates to fill the four remaining posts for executive councillors.

When Zambry took office in February last year from Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin (right), he had only filled six seats in the 10-member exco, leaving four seats vacant.

This has led to speculation that the three 'BN-friendly' Independents will fill three posts, in return for their 'contribution' in causing the collapse of the 10-month-old Pakatan government by their defection.

However, two of them - Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang assemblyperson) and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu,(Changat Jering) - are facing corruption charges in the Ipoh Sessions Court. As such, Zambry cannot appoint them pending a decision by the court.

The third state assemblyperson involved is former DAP member Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang).

Ousted Pakatan assembly speaker V Sivakumar turned the heat up at the state DAP Chinese New Year celebrations in Taiping yesterday, attended by about 1,000 people.

He and Nizar were among Pakatan leaders who spoke on current political issues affecting Perak and the nation.

Daring the Perak MB to fill the vacancies, Sivakumar asked: “Why is Zambry scared to announce the names of the remaining four exco posts? Is he keeping three of the posts for the three 'frogs'?”

Zambry will also have to overcome another hurdle in making his choice, as the three Independents are facing legal action by Sivakumar to declare their state seats vacant.

'Tussle within BN'

Adding spice to rumours is a claim that many Umno members are said to be in favour of senior party members filling the exco posts.

Nizar said in his speech that there is a power struggle within the Perak BN. He alleged that the three Independents are demanding concessions, while Umno members are demanding a bigger slice of the political cake.

As a result, Zambry (left) is said to be walking a tightrope - leaving Pakatan hopeful of fireworks in BN as and when he makes public his choices.

Perak has been in political turmoil since last February, as Nizar went to court to obtain a declaration that he is the rightful menteri besar.

After a series of legal skirmishes over the past year, a five-member bench of the Federal Court unanimously dismissed Nizar's appeal on Feb 9, leaving the way clear from Zambry to assume the post.