No changes to Perak Opposition seating despite Bersatu fallout, says Speaker

Perak Speaker Datuk Seri Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid speaks to reporters at a press conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building in Ipoh, Perak, on Sept 1, 2026. — Picture by John Bunyan

By John Bunyan

First Published: Tuesday, 01 Sep 2026 1:49 PM MYT

IPOH, Sept 1 — The Perak State Assembly has not received any formal request to alter the Opposition’s seating arrangement following recent sackings and suspensions within Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), Speaker Datuk Seri Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid said today.

Mohammad Zahir confirmed that the current floor plan in the legislature remains intact in the absence of any official application from the opposition bloc.

“As of today, there has been no such request. It is still very quiet,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here.

The Speaker was addressing queries on whether the state assembly seating would be reorganised following political realignments involving several Bersatu assemblymen.

In June, Sungai Manik assemblyman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin announced his entry into Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), four months after his expulsion from Bersatu. Zainol Fadzi was among 17 members sacked nationwide by Bersatu over alleged party sabotage.

When contacted, Zainol Fadzi claimed that five of the nine assemblymen originally elected under Bersatu in Perak, including himself, have now pledged support for Wawasan.

“I was expelled from Bersatu, so I am now free to join Wawasan and have also been appointed as the Perak state Wawasan coordinator.

“Meanwhile, the other four state assemblymen have either been suspended or resigned from their positions in Bersatu at their respective division levels, and are now supporting Wawasan,” he said.

Zainol Fadzi further claimed that the four assemblymen are backing Wawasan despite retaining their current party status in Bersatu, though he declined to reveal their identities.

Mohammad Zahir also confirmed that Zainol Fadzi continues to serve as the Perak opposition chief whip despite the internal friction.

“I have checked with the Opposition, they have confirmed that Zainol Fadzi remains as the chief whip. So there is no changes in this position either,” he said.

The Perak opposition bench currently comprises 26 assemblymen, made up of 17 from PAS, eight from Bersatu, and one from Wawasan.