PAKATAN Harapan Perak chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu was sworn in as Perak menteri besar this evening soon after two BN state assemblymen defected.

His appointment came as a surprise as expectations had run high that Amanah state chief Asmuni Awi or deputy Nizar Jamaluddin would be given the MB post.

Faizal is state Bersatu chief and won the party’s sole state seat. Amanah won six and PKR four. 

In total, including DAP, PH won 29 state seats in Perak, one short of a simple majority of 30 seats in the 59-seat state assembly. 

But two BN assemblymen aligned themselves with PH, giving their menteri besar candidate the support of 31 reps.

PH supporters had gathered outside the Kuala Kangsar palace in anticipation of the swearing-in ceremony.

Faizal had told the press earlier this afternoon that the PH presidential council had yet to approve the menteri besar candidate.

Both Faizal and Nizar’s phones were switched off when calls were made to both to ask how the decision was made. – May 12, 2018.