'Perak govt will not fall', says Saarani

IPOH - The Perak government will not fall despite rumours on social media that the state administration would see a change.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said it would be difficult for this happen because all the assemblymen were bound by the Party Hopping Act which had been approved before.

The BN-PH coalition government is believed to remain until the end of the term, he said.

"When this rumour came about two or three weeks ago, I asked all the PH assemblymen, and they said no one showed signs of leaving their respective state assembly. BN has nine people, whom I also asked, who want to leave. Nobody.

"In Perak, I don't think it will happen. I'm not sure about other places. So the people of Perak need not to be worried; God willing, this government will remain strong until the end of the term," he told reporters at MK Land's Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House and Carnelian 2 House Sales Launch at Meru Perdana 2, Chemor, on Saturday.

Also present at the event were Housing and Local Government Exco Sandrea Ng Shy Ching and MK Land Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Faris Yahaya.

Saarani said that in order to establish a government in Perak, a simple majority of 30 assemblymen is required, and it needs to be approved by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

He said the government currently has the support of 33 assemblymen compared to the opposition, which only has 26.

He added that if the opposition wants to form a government, they need four more assemblymen to support them.

"Where to get these four seats? We have the Party Hopping Act. If hopping happens, four seats will be declared vacant by the Speaker for by-elections to be held.

"If there are any of the four assemblymen who are intrigued or excited by any offer, think again, because if they hop parties, they will be dropped as assemblymen; they cannot run again in that place," he said.

In the meantime, Saarani advised the assemblymen to act wisely as politicians and not easily fall for the bait of certain parties.

Before this, there were various rumours that the Perak government would change in July.