It’s been a tense and busy morning in Perak. So far, Sultan Azlan Shah has met with Deputy Prime Minister (and Perak Umno chief) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as well Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin. All 28 Barisan Nasional representatives and their 3 Independent supporters were also summoned to Istana Kinta.

Meanwhile, Perak speaker V. Sivakumar was at the High Court to submit an application that the court declare the resignation letters of the three assembymen as valid and, therefore, their seats vacant.

1.10pm - A cheerful Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar was seen leaving Istana Kinta. A press conference will be held by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Menteri Besar’s residence at 3pm.

3.00pm - A statement released from the office of the Sultan of Perak said the Sultan was convinced that Mohammad Nizar had ceased to command the confidence of the majority of the state assembly members. The statement also states that:

If Datuk Seri Ir. Mohammad Nizar bin Jamaluddin does not resign his post as Perak mentri besar together with the members of the state executive council, the posts of mentri besar and state executive councilors are considered vacant.

4.40pm - Based on updates from Malaysiakini, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar has announced in the press conference that he would not resign from his post as the menteri besar and has urged the people to back his Pakatan government. He also said that the assembly speaker had filed a suit on the validity of the resignation letters submitted by three former Pakatan state representatives and said that it was only wise to wait for the court to decide on the matter. “The BN’s majority may not be a valid one,” he said.

6.15pm - Is this the end? From Malaysiakini’s latest report, it looks like a new BN state government is expected to be sworn in tommorrow. The Sultan’s office also issued this statement explaining the Sultan’s stand.