KUALA LUMPUR: The political quagmire in Perak dissipated after Sultan Azlan Shah ordered Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his state executive councillors to resign as he had failed to command the confidence of the majority in the state legislative assembly.

The Sultan of Perak also did not consent to the dissolution of the state assembly as requested by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government to end the crisis, which culminated after three PR assemblymen quit their parties and declared themselves as Independents who supported Barisan Nasional (BN).

Although Mohammad Nizar refused to step down, according to the state constitution, he was no longer the menteri besar.

Sultan Azlan Shah had consented Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir's appointment as the new menteri besar after BN had shown that it commanded the support of the majority in the state assembly with its 28 assemblymen and the three Independents.

Zambry will be sworn in at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar Friday afternoon, and the state executive councillors on Feb 10.

A constitutional law expert dismissed the suggestion that Mohammad Nizar's refusal to step down would spark a constitutional crisis.

Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) said the Sultan of Perak "has the power to dismiss his Menteri Besar even if the latter refuses to tender his resignation after being decreed to do so."

However, he said, the power to do so was not spelt out in the Perak constitution "but the Interpretation Act says the power to appoint also includes the power to remove."

When the dust settles down, the new state government should focus on efforts to develop Perak and improve the livelihood of the people in bracing the economic slowdown.

The political crisis since Jan 25 has caused anguish among the people as the state government was weakened with the defection.

The Sultan's decision not to dissolve the state assembly was to avert a state election.

Mohammad Nizar yesterday dissolved the state assembly without getting the consent of the Sultan to salvage Pakatan Rakyat's sinking ship.

Whether the days ahead will be calm depends on how the people of Perak react to the power play.

They have a big role in ensuring the stability of the state and therefore, should refrain from taking the law into their own hands. (Bernama)