of the state assembly was invalid because it had been called by Zambry. By implication, this would prevent the Barisan-appointed Speaker from convening a new sitting of the state assembly. On 12 May, Zambry filed his appeal at the Court of Appeal, which granted him a stay of execution on the court ruling, allowing him to retain the post of Menteri Besar until his appeal is heard. Overturning of the High Court verdict The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court decision and held that Zambry the lawful Menteri Besar. The Court of Appeal's verdict was upheld by the Federal Court with a 5-0 verdict in February 2010. The constitutional crisis came to an indefinite end with Pakatan leaders having no choice but to obey the ruling. As a result, no fresh election was called and Zambry continues as Menteri Besar while Nizar became the opposition leader. Comments and interpretations of the constitutional crisis On 2 March 2009, the president of the Malaysian Bar Council, Ambiga Sreenevasan remarked that the Institution of the Perak and its constitution are breaking down. She also mentioned that the secretary of state does not have the power to interfere in the affair of the assembly nor does the police, while the speaker has the very rights within the constitution to exercise his power to call for an emergency sitting of the state assembly. She was also quoted saying "Our institutions, that is the courts, the police, et cetera, are being tested and we can judge for ourselves whether they are acting independently or not". Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, an UMNO politician veteran agreed with Pakatan MB to dissolve the state legislative and call for fresh state elections to resolve the political stalemate in Perak. The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has joined the ever increasing chorus calling for fresh state elections to resolve the political stalemate in Perak. Hardial Singh Khaira, a legal researcher, has done a full research on The Dismissal and Appointment of Menteri Besars in Perak before any judgment was delivered on the Perak constitutional crisis by any Malaysian court and the full article can be viewed online. See also 2020 Malaysian political crisis References Political history of Malaysia Politics of Perak History of Perak 2009 in Malaysia Perak