DAP To Boycott Perak MB Swearing-In Ceremony.

PAS’ Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin has been confirmed as the Menteri Besar of Perak. As was reported earlier three names were submitted to Istana Kinta for consideration by the Sultan of Perak, for the post of the new menteri besar. They were Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, state PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and state DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham.

It was this very person, the state DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham who said that the three parties would accept any candidate chosen by the Sultan of Perak.

On the state law which stipulated that the menteri besar should be a Malay who is Muslim, Ngeh said there was a clause which stated that it was the prerogative of the Sultan of Perak. He also added that whoever was chosen menteri besar would be a leader of all races in the state, and the three parties shared the same policy in abhoring a racist policy.

"We appeal to our supporters and the people not to fall prey to certain quarters who incite racial sentiments. This is a golden opportunity for the people of Perak to unite, irrespective of race," the state DAP chairman further added.

He said the opposition government would ensure that decisions would be made on collective and consultation basis.

After that very laudable stance taken by Mr Ngeh, it looks like the grand old man of DAP and Malaysian politics, Mr Lim Kit Siang has insinuated himself into the picture with an announcement of a boycott of the swearing-in ceremony for the Perak Mentri Besar scheduled for tomorrow.

I don't know what prompted the DAP decision to withdraw from the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow. But it seems logical for one to question Kit Siang's rationale for such an unwise move, especially since the party has already publicly stated that it will accept whatever decision made by His Royal Highness.

At a time when the BN vultures are just waiting for an opportunity to trip the Barisan Rakyat, this move by the DAP amounts to giving them ammunition on a silver platter. Lim Kit Siang seems to be acting like a typical opposition politician, a role which he undoubtedly is most familiar with. It is hoped that on this one occasion at least, wiser counsel will prevail and the DAP doyen's objections would be disregarded.