Despite fallout, Perak DAP says PAS’s Nizar remains state opposition chief

Former Perak MB Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is among the PAS progressives routed in the party's muktamar this month. Despite a fallout, DAP says it wants Nizar to stay to lead the opposition in the state assembly. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 22, 2015.

Changkat Jering assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin who won the seat on a PAS ticket will remain the Perak opposition leader, said state DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming, despite both parties ending their alliance.

Nga said Nizar, who was the Perak menteri besar after Pakatan Rakyat (PR) won the state in 2008, had the support of all 18 DAP state assemblymen.

"Nizar will remain as opposition leader although PR no longer exists in the state. Apart from the DAP representatives, I believe Nizar also commands the support of five other PKR assemblymen from PKR," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Another five representatives, including Nizar, are from PAS and collectively form part of the 28-member opposition bench in the house.

Nga, who is Kepayang assemblyman, was asked whether DAP would withdraw support for Nizar to remain as state opposition leader, since DAP and PAS were no longer in political cooperation.

This followed a motion to cut ties with DAP, which was approved without debate at PAS's annual general assembly earlier this month.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had also announced his party's decision declaring PR was dead, as the secular party and its Islamist counterpart are no longer on working terms.

Nga (pic, left) said although PR no longer existed, Nizar could hold to the position because he was a member of the state assembly by virtue of him being the elected representative of Changkat Jering.

"Nizar's position is determined by elected assemblymen, and the DAP which makes the majority among the opposition, supports him to remain there," he added.

Nizar has been state opposition leader since May 2009.

Nga, who is also Taiping MP, said the state DAP had a cordial relationship with the new Perak PAS leadership under Rosman Zakaria.

"We are not enemy of PAS or its leaders. For example, we will go to their Hari Raya open house if invited."

"However, we have excellent working relationship with all PAS assemblymen in carrying out duties as elected representatives in the house," he added.

Nizar failed to retain his post in the PAS central committee along with the group of "progressives" led by former deputy president Mohammad Sabu, who were ousted in the contest for key positions.

Nizar was defeated as Kampar PAS division chief, a post he held for 14 years, to religious teacher Mohd Sofian Rejab.