BAGAN DATUK: Celebrating a year since the inception of the unity government in Perak, it has unequivocally dispelled the earlier insinuations of 'mut'ah marriage' (temporary marriage in Islam) propagated by certain quarters.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, also the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, emphasised the success of the one-year collaboration between BN and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
This partnership, he asserted, demonstrated resilience and cooperation, dispelling any doubts about its longevity.
"Every week, we conduct state executive meetings professionally, peacefully, and tolerantly, even in the face of differing opinions. We celebrate these differences until we reach a mutual agreement.
"So I want to assure anyone who has been doubting the establishment of this unity government as if it was for a short time or there was talk of mut'ah marriage and various insinuations were made, I assure you that we have proven yesterday (two days ago) that there is no problem," he said.
Dispelling concerns about the unity government being a short-term arrangement, Saarani expressed confidence in its continuity, affirming the commitment to serve the people of Perak responsibly until the next election.
Saarani said this in a press conference yesterday after attending the Mesra Customer Engagement Programme for the Perak State Government 2023 at the Dewan Dato' Lope Hashim.
On Nov 21, last year, the Kota Tampan assemblyman was re-appointed as the Perak Menteri Besar following the state election held concurrently with the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 19.
He took the oath of office before the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, at 5.40pm at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
On Nov 22, last year, 10 Perak State Legislative Assembly members took their oaths before Sultan Nazrin as members of the Perak State Executive Council (exco).
PH, who had 24 seats, and BN, with nine seats secured in GE15, had agreed to cooperate to form the state government, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) obtained 26 seats.
Meanwhile, DAP's exco, Loh Sze Yee admitted that all political parties had doubts at the beginning of the collaboration because of the long-standing dispute between BN and PH that was previously known to the public.
However, the Jalong assemblyman, who is also the Perak DAP Political Education director, said he understood that the administration of the state government needed stable politics, especially for economic growth.
"After a year, we can understand each other's wishes. We don't say everything is smooth, as we sometimes have different considerations or solutions.
"However, we can discuss everything peacefully, resolve prudently, and agree."
Loh, also state Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman, noted that despite occasional differences, the collaboration had proven effective, signalling a robust alliance.
The sole state exco from Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), Datuk Seri Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, revealed that getting to know the 10 state excos from various political backgrounds initially took time.
"However, now the state government is quite solid because the understanding between us to solve the people's problems is the main focus, no longer having disagreements and arguments in the state assembly.
"The disturbing element (supposedly the state government will fall) we are happy to overcome so as not to disturb the people's thinking. That's why we in Perak have a history of changing governments two or three times due to such elements.
"Now it's been a year. So that means the characteristics of the government's strength and solidity are there," said Nizar, overseeing state Energy, Water and Public Transport Infrastructure Committee chairman.
He emphasised the unity's focus on addressing people's issues and promoting balanced economic development, ensuring no citizens are left behind.
