"I look calm but unsettled" - Faizal Azumu

IPOH: From the outside, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu perhaps appeared quite calm in facing the test of his leadership as Perak Menteri Besar.

However, deep in his heart, the Chenderiang State Assemblyman (ADUN) was actually 'fighting' with his emotions after going through an episode of grief following the decision of the motion of confidence that was not in his favour at the Perak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.

Ahmad Faizal said he needs to remain calm and accept the decision so that the stability of the state was ensured while preventing the people from quarrelling with each other.

"Actually, I look calm but in my soul and myself, I am experiencing a turbulence. Turbulent because I am so worried about the Budget that I did not have time to present this afternoon.

"I actually hope that even if there is going to be any motion of confidence, this is done after we pass the Budget.

“… because I think, we ... I along with the Exco and also the civil servants in the state have worked on a Budget which I think is very good for us to steer the government and the state to a better situation.

"However, I think I need to maintain calmness so that the people outside do not quarrel with each other," Ahmad Faizal said to reporters after officiating the Mosque and Surau Project Approval Letter Presentation Ceremony in Perak here on Friday.

Earlier, Ahmad Faizal failed to secure the majority of the vote of confidence motion on him proposed by Pengkalan Bharu ADUN, Datuk Abdul Manaf Hashim at the DUN sitting this morning.

Of the 59 ADUNs, only 10 supported while another 48 were against while one vote was spoilt in the bloc voting set by Perak DUN Speaker, Datuk Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid.

Mohammad Zahir decided the bloc voting process to be conducted after receiving a proposal by Dr Abdul Aziz Bari (DAP-Tebing Tinggi) and supported by Maslin Sham Razman (BN-Bukit Chandan).

When debating the motion of confidence, Abdul Manaf said the purpose was to determine the legitimacy of Ahmad Faizal's leadership as Menteri Besar.

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Astro AWANI, Ahmad Faizal said he was open-minded and accepted the decision that was not in his favour.

According to him, now was not the time to prolong political issues in Perak because the people in the state needed help, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My responsibility as a small leader is to stabilize the situation because we are facing various problems of the people.

"This is more important than my position as Menteri Besar," he said.

Ahmad Faizal also admitted that he was upset because he did not have time to present the Perak State Budget for 2021.