Shahrul Zaman asks to stop speculation, UMNO proposes Saarani as MB

IPOH: All UMNO State Assemblymen (ADUN) in Perak have by consensus named Kota Tampan Assemblyman, Datuk Saarani Mohamad as the new Perak Menteri Besar candidate.

Rungkup Assemblyman, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya informed the matter in a post on his social media account today.

At the same time, he hoped that no party would make any speculation that linked his name as a candidate for the post.

“All of us UMNO and Barisan Nasional assemblymen have by consensus nominated Datuk Saarani Mohamad, Perak UMNO Liaison Chairman as Menteri Besar.

"I beg for all of us to not speculate anymore and we leave it to the wisdom of DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan of Perak to consider who has a simple majority to be elected as Menteri Besar of Perak, Insya-Allah," he said.

Shahrul Zaman was among the names mentioned earlier as the candidate for Menteri Besar from UMNO besides Saarani and Pangkor Assemblyman, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Among the names mentioned if a coalition government is formed was Opposition Leader who is also the Perak DAP Vice Chairman and Tebing Tinggi Assemblyman, Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, but there has been no confirmation on the matter.

Earlier, during the realignment of the state government last February, the state UMNO also presented Saarani's name to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

Saarani, who held the portfolio of the Chairman of the Rural Development, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee, is an experienced politician and has been in the administration of the state government under two previous Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Dr Zambry.

Shahrul Zaman, who held the portfolio of the Chairman of the Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee, was a former assistant secretary of the Malaysian Umno Youth Movement.

He is said to be able to carry out the duties of the Menteri Besar based on his experience in politics and the party.

Apart from them, Dr Abdul Aziz was also among those listed as a candidate if a coalition government of Umno and DAP is formed in Perak.

Perak has 59 Assemblymen consisting of 25 from Barisan Nasional, Bersatu (5), Pas (3), DAP (16), PKR (3), Amanah (5), Gerakan (1) and Bebas (1) assemblymen.