PETALING JAYA: PPBM this evening expressed regret over Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu losing a vote of confidence in the state assembly earlier today, saying the party was monitoring the situation closely.
In a statement, party secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin also thanked assemblymen who voted in favour of Faizal, who is also the PPBM deputy president, including its four assemblymen and three assemblymen from PAS.
He also took note that Umno and Pakatan Harapan representatives had voted against the motion.
“PPBM will always keep to the principles of understanding and cooperation forged among Perikatan Nasional components for the betterment of the people and the country.”
Hamzah said PPBM will monitor the situation with PAS and its other Perikatan Nasional allies to decide on the next step.
Faizal, the Chenderiang assemblyman, lost his post after 48 of the 59 assemblymen voted against a motion of confidence in him. There were 10 votes in support of Faizal and one spoilt vote.
The motion had been submitted by Pengkalan Baru assemblyman Abdul Manaf Hashim, who is from Umno.
While Faizal said he accepted the decision “with an open heart”, he said he would not ask the Perak Sultan to dissolve the state assembly to pave the way for fresh polls, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Barisan Nasional has 25 seats in the state assembly, PPBM five and PAS three. Gerakan has one assemblyman and there is also an independent. The opposition Pakatan Harapan has 24 state seats, comprising DAP (16), Amanah (five) and PKR (three).