PAKATAN Harapan has secured a simple majority of 31 seats in Perak when two Umno assemblymen crossed over to join the coalition, said PH state chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

“We have met with the Sultan and informed him we’ve successfully secured sufficient majority to form the state government. We have the support of two Barisan Nasional state assemblymen,” Faizal told reporters after an audience with Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak this afternoon at Kinta Palace in Ipoh.

PH won 29 seats in Perak, while Umno won 27 seats and PAS has three state seats.

Faizal declined to name the two assemblymen.

The two defections thwarted PAS’s plan to be the kingmaker between BN and PH.

“We’ve 31 seats now. We believe the number will increase by the day,” he said, signaling more potential defections from Umno.

The menteri besar candidates have been submitted to the PH’s presidential council, he added.

Once PH submits the menteri besar candidate to the state ruler, it is up to the sultan to decide when to invite PH for the swearing in ceremony.

“We will wait for the palace’s invite,” said Faizal.

Faizal, Amanah state chief Asmuni Awi and deputy chief Nizar Jamaluddin are being touted as potential menteri besar among.

PAS had wanted to form a unity government without opposition with BN and PH.

Its three state assemblymen, including Perak PAS commissioner and Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria, visited the palace in the morning, followed by BN state chief Zambry Abd Kadir.

No other BN state assemblymen were spotted accompanying Zambry.

Subsequently, PH state assemblymen met with the sultan at noon. 

A crowd of about 50 PH supporters had gathered by the road opposite the Kinta Palace since then. – May 12, 2018.