Pakatan Rakyat suspends two senior civil servants

IPOH: Tuesday May 12, 2009 |Staronline

The Perak Pakatan Rakyat government has suspended two senior civil servants with immediate effect - State Legal Adviser Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid and State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin told the hastily-called midnight press conference at his residence here that the suspension was not done out of revenge but was initiated in the interest of the people.

The acting State Secretary is state financial officer Datuk Jamaluddin Al Amini while Ahmad Kamal’s assistant Zulkarnain Hassan will be acting Perak Legal Adviser.

Nizar also said his aides would send a letter to Istana Kinta today seeking permission for an audience with the Sultan of Perak to discuss the dissolution of the state assembly.

A copy of the letter, he said, would be sent to Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.

He confirmed that he and his state executive council, together with Pakatan’s Speaker V. Sivakumar, will report to the state secretariat building today at 7.15am.

Nizar will then attend the royal investiture ceremony at Istana Iskandariah as the invited mentri besar.

He assured that all government policies initiated by Pakatan would continue, adding that Barisan-initiated policies would be reviewed although those considered “good” would go on.

Earlier at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Nizar said his win in court was a victory for the people.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, the jubilant Perak Mentri Be­­sar said: “This is going to create new political adventures for Malaysia.”

“I believe that the people will res­pect and honour us and put Pakatan Rakyat back in power. I’ve got full confidence,” he said.

In Ipoh, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said he accepted the High Court decision with an open mind, ad­­ding that he would take the next step via legal means.

“I appeal to all Barisan Nasional sup­porters and Perakians to remain calm,” he said in an SMS message.

Asked to comment on the court decision, Perak senior exco Datuk Hamidah Osman said that in democracy, the majority rules.

“How can Pakatan Rakyat rule without having a majority?” she said.

In George Town, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the court decision as “a glorious victory” for the people of Perak.

The DAP secretary-general said the party reiterated its call for the dissolution of the state as­­sembly and the holding of fresh elections to allow the people to choose their own government.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan Mentri Be­­sar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat thanked Allah and said that the courts were beginning to get back their integrity.