IPOH: The decision to appoint Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin as adviser to Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu was made after reaching a consensus with Perak Pakatan Harapan component party leaders.
Ahmad Faizal said the appointment was not his personal choice but it was also agreed to by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
“I wasn’t the one who made the decision as it was based on the consensus from the four Perak PH component leaders.
“It wasn’t my call and everyone has agreed to his appointment and the Sultan has also agreed to it. A huge matter like this, I won’t make my own decision,” he said at a press conference after meeting with 17 ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions at Banjaran Hotspring Resort here today.
The Chendering assemblyman also said all important decisions would be made via consensus with the Perak PH leaders but he also did not rule out the possibility that some of the members would object to the decision.
“In administering a state I believe not all decisions are fully accepted by all members but we are confident that every decision is made for the benefit of the party. However the decisions should take into account the people and the state,” he said.
As such, Ahmad Faizal said he did not see the need to change the decision, and if it was to be changed, it should be done by the PH leaders.
Asked about the appointment, Ahmad Faizal said it was based on Zainol Fadzi’s decision and support to form a state government.
“Everyone knows that Zainol has expressed his support to the Sultan for PH to form a government in Perak and he is also registered as PPBM member.
“There are now two PPBM representatives, I as Chenderiang assemblyman and Zainol from Sungai Manik. He is not an outsider, he is not an independent assemblyman as he is PPBM representative,” he said.
On those who still oppose the appointment, Ahmad Faizal said the group did not understand the situation and therefore a meeting would be held with the group today to discuss further.
“I have invited them to meet me today and we will talk about this and explain to them our reasons,” he said.
It was reported that several individuals including Otai Reformis secretary Akhi Nosa Iskandar @ Noorddin Salleh, questioned the appointment, stating an official protest with Otai Reformasi ‘98 would be held nationwide today.
They will also go to the Menteri Besar office should he refuse to cancel the appointment. Perakians will also gather there as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
They also demanded Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to ask Ahmad Faizal to retract the appointment as it hurts the Perak voters and also urged PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to handle the issue.