THERE may be a new political alignment in Perak following the ouster of Ahmad Faizal Azumu as menteri besar on Friday, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president, however, said he hopes the previous Perikatan Nasional government could be retained with a new menteri besar.

“We are aware of the stand taken by both PAS and Bersatu after what had happened on Friday.

“As such, Umno will have to take a new approach to form a new state government.

“But we will take into consideration all political development to ensure that the new government is strong,” he said after meeting Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah in Ipoh today.

Zahid proposed Umno’s choice as menteri besar to the sultan during the almost one-hour meeting.

Umno will consider all possibilities to form a new state government, including working with Pakatan Harapan, he said.

“We will look at all possibilities. As I mentioned, we would like to stick to the previous arrangement but if that can’t be done, we will have to look at new possibilities.

“Everything is possible (to work with PH). This also depends on the involved parties’ decision.”

He chaired a meeting involving party leaders and state Umno leaders last night on the political situation in Perak.

State Umno leaders have also held meetings with other parties.

Perak Umno sources have been reported as saying that Umno is ready to join forces with rivals PH to form a new state government following the fallout arising from the ousting of Faizal.

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 a Barisan Nasional assemblyman with support from Umno and PH.

However, PN ally PAS supports Faizal, adding that it won’t 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.

Umno is ready to work with Amanah, PKR and DAP to form a new state government, said sources.

State Umno chief and Kota Tampan assemblyman Saarani Mohamad is expected to be the nominated as menteri besar of this new pact.

“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.

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 PN with Bersatu and PAS, and with parties from Sarawak and Sabah. – December 6, 2020.