KUALA KANGSAR, Nov 21 — Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Kota Tampan assemblyman Datuk Saarani Mohamad has been sworn in as Perak Mentri Besar in front of Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah at Istana Iskandariah today.
Despite contributing the smallest amount of seats, Saarani was reappointed as the state’s mentri besar after receiving support from a total of 33 assembly members from both BN and its new partner Pakatan Harapan (PH).
It was also reported that both PH and PN did not dispute to contest Saarani’s candidacy to become the state’s new head of government.
Perak Dewan Negara member Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini was earlier reported saying Saarani and Perak DAP vice-chairman Aziz Bari who represented PH told Sultan Nazrin that both parties agreed to form a state government.
In the general election (GE15) that concluded two days ago, PH won 24 state seats in Perak, while BN managed to get nine seats.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) win the biggest number of seats with 26 out of 59 available.
Thirty seats are needed from a political coalition to form a simple majority.
However, PN did not manage to reach a deal with other coalitions to reach the numbers required.
Meanwhile, the federal government is still hung as none of the coalitions could reach the required simple majority of 112 seats.
Istana Negara has since issued a statement that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has agreed to extend the deadline for coalitions to send their proof of majority until 2pm tomorrow.
