Dr M's logic

Pakatan Rakyat would win a snap state election in Perak and thus he is against it being held to resolve the political impasse.

"I think the opposition… well, not the opposition… I think Pakatan is going to win. So why have an election? We already had an election," he said.

Dr Mahathir admitted the Pakatan Rakyat will sweep Perak if fresh elections are called but recommended the state assembly meets to decide on the mentri besar post.

"It’s not good for the world to see the musical chairs in Perak where the MB is changing because of the decision of the courts," Dr Mahathir said.

When asked if the current impasse in Perak would affect the ruling Barisan Nasional's chances in the next elections, he said: "I hope people will have short memories."

“The outcome is a foregone conclusion” said Dr Mahathir if fresh elections are held, adding that it was his feeling after the by-election in Bukit Gantang and from talking to people.

“So why should we have fresh elections ?“ he asked, saying that it was costly and that he did not agreed will calls by other BN leaders for fresh state elections.

He added that the people had already voted and chosen people who are willing to defect.

He said the situation should be resolved by a vote in the Perak state assembly and the assemblymen should determined who should form the government.

“If BN really has a majority they can move a motion of no confidence and set up another government.”

Najib, however, pushed the ball to the sultan's court.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said a fresh state election is only one of the options to resolve the Perak political crisis and not something that has to happen.

The prime minister said it was up to the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Azlan to decide whether a fresh election should be held for Perak.

''It is not for me to decide. It is for the sultan to decide,''

Sultan Azlan Shah was once a well-respected former top judge, but his image has suffered due to his unpopular decision to allow BN to form the government in February after it succeeded in obtaining majority support in the state legislature.

The sultan went a step ahead and ordered Nizar to step down and appointed Zambry. The High Court had ruled that Nizar could only be removed by a vote of no confidence in the state legislature.

Unless the sultan intervenes, Perak state would remain in limbo for months as the issue drags on in court. Even if the Court of Appeal expedites its hearing, whoever loses is bound to appeal again to the Federal Court, the country's highest court.

As the drama continues, Najib and BN could lose out in the long term. Already public opinion is against them. The repercussions extend beyond Perak, and Najib's colleagues in the BN are worried.