UMNO is expected to join forces with rivals Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Perak to form a new state government, following the fallout arising from the ousting of Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, reports Astro Awani.

The news portal quoted sources saying that Perak Umno was moving towards working with Amanah, PKR and DAP to form a new state government.

Meanwhile, state Umno chief and Kota Tampan assemblyman Saarani Mohamad is expected to be the nominated menteri besar of this new pact, a source close to the party added.

“So far, the indications are that the new state government will be formed by Umno with PH, with the MB most probably being Saarani,” said the source.

On Friday, Faizal was defeated in a motion of confidence brought against him. He only gained 10 votes in support while 48 rejected him, with one abstention.

The motion was filed by an Umno assemblyman with support from the party and PH.

Meanwhile, aside from support from his Bersatu colleagues, PAS assemblymen also supported Faizal.

PAS has since then said it would not be part of the new government.

Bersatu, too, is unlikely to support any move by Umno to form a new government, forcing Umno to work with PH.

Political commentators have said this would also indicate how Umno grassroots accept working with their rivals, especially with PKR and DAP, and if this relationship works, it could lead to something at federal level.

Umno is currently part of Perikatan Nasional with Bersatu and PAS, and with parties from Sarawak and Sabah.

Meanwhile, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will have an audience with Sultan of Perak Nazrin Shah this morning, in which he is expected to put forward his party’s candidate.

PH leaders in the state met with the sultan yesterday.

There are 59 seats in the Perak assembly, 25 of which belong to Umno, DAP 16, Amanah five, Bersatu five, PKR three, PAS three, Gerakan one, and one independent.

Meanwhile, the Suaratv portal reported that Saarani has at least 32 statutory declarations to support him as the new MB, including his own party, PKR and DAP.

Five Amanah assemblymen are also said to have indicated their support for him, said the portal. – December 6, 2020.