Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Perak State Assembly emergency session - Sun

March 3, 2009

A scuffle occurred when the opposition members tried to enter the building grounds to attend the emergency session in the building. Police only allowed Sivakumar into the building at about 9.45am and members of the public, including the media, were told to disperse.

Ipoh OCPD ACP Azisman Alias issued a warning to arrest anyone, including elected representatives, who refused to disperse. Police have since yesterday maintained tight security in the area, including closing several roads leading to the building. Over 100 opposition supporters had gathered outside the building since early morning.

The group was barred by police from entering the Perak Darul Ridzuan building, which houses the state assembly, because it did not have the consent of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.

Pasir Berdamar state assembly, Seah Leong Peng was barred by police from entering the Perak Darul Ridzuan building


Mohammad Nizar told the news conference that he would seek an audience with the sultan as soon as possible to present the assembly's decision to dissolve the Perak state assembly. Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir Menteri and assembly secretary had claimed that the sitting was invalid because it did not have the consent of the Sultan of Perak.

The Perak state assembly went ahead with its "emergency session" today, under a tree about 100m from the Perak Darul Ridzuan building which houses the assembly, and approved three motions. The motions expressed support for Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the Menteri Besar; called for the dissolution of the state assembly to enable fresh elections to be held and affirmed the Speaker's decision to suspend Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six state executive councillors from the state assembly.

The 30-minute session which started at about 10.20am was attended by Speaker V.Sivakumar and all the 27 assemblymen from PAS, DAP and Parti Keadilan. The first motion was tabled by Titi Serong assemblyman Khalil Idham Lim, the second by Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang and the third by Pantai Remis assemblyman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham. The assembly adjourned at 10.33am. The sitting, called by Sivakumar, was held outside after police barrred him and the 27 opposition assemblymen from entering the Perak Darul Ridzuan building, which houses the state assembly. With the assemblymen standing under a tree, the emergency session proceeded with the help of assembly speaker Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki, who was appointed yesterday, and a loudspeaker.

Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat supporters threw abusive words at each other's outside Perak Darul Ridzuan State Building today.

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