In an Instagram post, Rungkup assemblyman Shahrul Zaman Yahya said the decision had been made by consensus.

This confirms speculation that Saarani, the Perak Umno chief, has been nominated for the post by the party’s leadership.

“I appeal to all against making any speculation and leave it to His Majesty, the Sultan of Perak, to consider who has a simple majority to become the new menteri besar,” Shahrul Zaman said.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had an audience with Sultan Nazrin Shah.

It was previously reported that Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming, Perak PKR head Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak and Amanah state chief Asmuni Awi also had an audience with the sultan on Saturday, followed by Saarani.

On Friday, PPBM deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu was ousted as the menteri besar through a vote of confidence in the state assembly.

Faizal was defeated by 48 votes to 10, with one abstaining.

He handed in his resignation letter to the sultan on Saturday, which was accepted together with those of his exco members.