Perak is the Malay word for silver. In Malaysia, there is a state called Perak – hence, the silver state.
OK a quick history lesson here. In Mar 2008 federal and state elections, Perak became Opposition rule, ie not National Coalition, just as four other states – Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan, Wilayah Persekutuan. This was a real shock to many because apart from Kelantan, the rest had been under the National Coalition. These were results that shook the nation.
In Perak, the majority was a very slim one. Nonetheless, they had enough to form the state government, being a coalition of parties under the Opposition’s Coalition.
Recently, two of their state representatives were investigated for corruption. Their cases are due to be mentioned in court next week. These two reps suddenly disappeared from the scene last week.
Rumours began to surface that they were going to change parties and support the National Coalition or go independent. A third rep also began to show signs of doing similarly. That would mean that in the ruling Opposition Coalition would be tied with the National Coalition for seats, with 3 independents.
The Perak Chief Minister went to see the Perak Sultan (king) to ask for dissolution of state parliment and to call for snap elections to allow the people to decide who they wanted to vote for and to stop the stalemate.
However, the Sultan, instead of listening to the CM, which is the normal convention, chose to wait for the appearance of the present VPM (and incoming PM) who is also VP and incoming P of the National Coalition. (Have I lost you?) They had an audience and then the Sultan decided to demand for the Perak CM’s resignation. Failing which, he would declare the CM post vacant.
Many have cried out that this is illegal. It is a sign of the times that even the news report covers this.
To cut a long story short, the debacle of politics in Malaysia continues even as I write. Apparently the Sultan’s website is filled with people writing in their protests and on Tuesday, I gather, there is a call for people to wear black if they disagreed with what has happened.
Stay tuned for next instalment, or just do a search. With what I have written above, you should be able to follow the news.
This is a firework set off in one of the dogs bowl! What creativity!
