Perak MB: I will not lose focus
‘Most naysayers are attention seekers desperate to be relevant in new political landscape’
SINCE the first day he was sworn in as the 12th Perak menteri besar in May last year, sceptics have cast doubts on his ability to hold on to the post as he is the sole Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia assemblyman in the state government.
However, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu refused to bow to rumours and pressure, taking things in his stride while focusing on his duty to repay voters for their faith in Pakatan Harapan.
He overcame challenges, including a rumoured plot to table a motion of no confidence against his leadership at the state assembly last year.
The first-term menteri besar, who is known to speak his mind on many issues, continues to stand his ground amid backdoor attempts to depose him.
“We need to continue focusing on our responsibilities without thinking about what people say about us. We must not be distracted by rumours and political power play, otherwise, we will not reach our destination.
“My stand is not to be overwhelmed
by the disturbances because once we lose focus, we risk losing the battle to bring positive changes to the state and the people,” Faizal said in an interview with Media Prima Bhd at Seri Pentas.
He said most of the naysayers criticising his leadership were attention seekers who sensationalised issues that did not exist. He believed many of his detractors were desperate to be relevant in the new political landscape.
“Since the first day I took office, there have been attempts to table a motion of no confidence against me. For those who want the menteri besar post, they were fantasising about obtaining higher positions.
“It does not matter who is the menteri besar or prime minister, these things happen. The important thing is to ignore (them) and focus on the tasks at hand.”
Faizal, 48, who is Perak Pakatan Harapan chairman, said he wanted to fulfil the aspirations of the people and make good on PH’s pledges in its general election manifesto.
He said he drew strength from his experiences, and this had shaped him into the politician that he was.
“I grew up in the Umno ‘factory’ as I was a former grassroots leader, but I later gained experience in the opposition, which stood against a very powerful government under Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“In my time in Umno, and later as an opposition member against a powerful government, I gained experience and an extraordinary amount of strength to resist and not to be swayed by pressure.
“They will not steer my focus away from fulfilling my responsibility as Perak menteri besar.”
Faizal warned the people against entertaining rumours of a transition of power in Perak. He also addressed rumoured plots that may have involved members from his own fold.
“I will defend my executive council members, despite the things I hear about their ambitions to take over my position. That’s not something negative. It’s beyond my control, so I don’t entertain such rumours.”
On Dec 4, state opposition leader Datuk Saarani Mohamad claimed that there was a plot by state executive councillor Dr Abdul Aziz Bari to depose Faizal.
Aziz denied the claim. Saarani was later summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after revealing that he had witnessed statutory declarations from five Umno assemblymen saying they were approached by another Perak executive councillor regarding the same plot to depose Faizal.
Faizal has proven that he is willing to make tough calls, including freezing logging in the wake of pollution along Sungai Rui in Gerik to protect people and the environment.
Asked about the political cooperation between Umno and Pas, Faizal said the “marriage” was apparent even before the 14th General Election (GE14), but became more obvious when Barisan Nasional lost federal power.
“After losing power in GE14, they (Umno) officially joined forces with Pas in a marriage despite having committed ‘khalwat’ (close proximity) before that.”
He chided the two parties for claiming PH parties did not champion the interests of the Malays.
“Don’t think that if I am not in Umno and Pas that I betrayed the Malay cause. That’s not right.”
He said PH was working to right the wrongs of the previous administration, and he would remain steadfast by helping in this national agenda.
“We want to return glory to our country so that it will not be disturbed by outsiders who once said we were a kleptocratic nation.
“Some people are now glorifying a person who lived beyond his means and they call him ‘bossku’. It’s all nonsense.
“If they really want to fight for the good of the people, they are welcome to. But I will not abandon the struggle to uphold Islam, the Malays and the nation. We will never run from this.”