Faizal arrived in his Toyota Camry at 5.15pm. A few minutes earlier, the assembly Speaker Mohamad Zahir Abdul Khalid had left the istana after his audience with the Sultan.

Faizal, the Chenderiang assemblyman, lost his post after 48 of the 59 assemblymen voted against a motion of confidence in him. There were 10 votes in support of Faizal and one spoilt vote.

The motion had been submitted by Pengkalan Bharu assemblyman Abdul Manaf Hashim, who is from Umno.

Immediately after the result was announced, Faizal, who is expected to announce his resignation, said he accepted the decision with an open heart.

He however said he would not ask the Perak Sultan to dissolve the state assembly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barisan Nasional has 25 seats in the state assembly, PPBM five and PAS three. Gerakan has one assemblyman and there is also an independent. Pakatan Harapan has 24 state seats with DAP having 16, Amanah five and PKR three.