KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang hastily retracted his order for all Perak DAP assemblymen to boycott the swearing of the new Perak Mentri Besar and made a public apology Thursday (13 Mar).

The party's central executive committee (CEC) protested the appointment of Perak PAS liaison secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Menteri Besar Wednesday (12 Mar).

"My three-paragraph statement at 7 last night (12 March) that the DAP central executive committee emergency meeting on 9th March had not given approval for a PAS Mentri Besar to head a Perak coalition state government was not made out of disrespect to the Perak Regent whom I have always held in the highest regard and I apologise for any offence caused," party advisor Lim Kit Siang said in a statement Thursday.

He said the statement issued Wednesday was made based on the DAP's position at the time.

"There have been further discussions and developments on the matter in the hours after the statement. Announcements of the latest position will be made," he added.

Last night, Lim, who is MP for Ipoh Timur said that the party was shocked over the decision. He said the party's central executive committee had given approval for the formation of a Perak coalition government headed by DAP or PKR but not by PAS.

As a result of this decision, Lim instructed all its 18 state assemblymen to boycott the swearing-in ceremony Thursday.

Lim, in a statement Wednesday (12 March), said the party did not agree to Nizar’s appointment and had decided on Sunday (9 Mar) night that the post should either be held by its state chief Ngeh Koo Ham or state PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.

But the palace issued a statement last night stating that the DAP had signed a document agreeing to accept any one of the three names proposed.

In open defiance to Lim, Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming said the party’s elected representatives would be at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar for the ceremony to swear in PAS’ Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, scheduled at 4pm Thursday.

On Saturday (8 Mar), the Opposition won 31 state seats in Perak, wresting control of the state from Barisan Nasional which won 28 seats.