'Why Pakatan must convene Perak sitting'

Earlier this month, ousted Perak speaker V Sivakumar issued a notice for a state assembly sitting on Oct 28 (tomorrow) - the same date that Barisan Nasional-appointed speaker R Ganesan picked for the tabling of the state budget.

The situation, though bizarre, is necessary for Pakatan, according to its ousted menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said a boycott by Pakatan may cost its state representatives their seats.

"Under the Perak constitution, if you don't present yourself at two consecutive sittings, your seat is declared vacant and thus there will be a by-election," Nizar told Malaysiakini.

"To fulfil the constitution, we have to attend, but it must be consistent with our stand - that Sivakumar is the rightful speaker and not Ganesan."