Faizal to meet Perak sultan, says ‘surprised’ by timing of motion

(FMT) – Outgoing Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu will be meeting Sultan Nazrin Shah this evening after he lost a vote of confidence in the state assembly.

Faizal confirmed with Astro Awani that he has been granted an audience with Sultan Nazrin.

Sources also told the news channel that state assembly speaker Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid will also be having an audience with the sultan.

Speaking at an event at the state secretariat building after the vote, Faizal said he had expected the motion to not go his way but was surprised it was brought forward before the tabling of the state’s 2021 budget.

“I was worried about the budget. I was hoping this motion would be dealt with only after the budget is tabled.

“The executive councillors, civil servants and I have worked hard to come up with this very good budget,” he said

Faizal, who is also a PPBM deputy president, said his party will continue to remain a part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in Perak, adding that the only thing changing was the person helming the menteri besar’s post.

“PN is a good government that’s well received by the people and that momentum needs to be kept.

“I accept this decision with an open heart and, as the leader of Perak PPBM, I will make way for the new menteri besar to carry out his duties,” he said.