“In fact, during the months when rumours and reports started to make rounds, I asked my officer to get appointments with Faizal.

“The purpose was to kill off the rumours and I suggested that both MB and I conduct the press briefing together. 

“But Faizal never responded. He actually allowed the rumours to spread and even personally talked about it in a video during the campaign in Tanjung Piai by-election,” said Aziz.

‘Peja was insecure’

The Perak government that was helmed by Faizal was peculiar in the sense that his Bersatu party was significantly outnumbered by DAP.

As such, Aziz, being the senior DAP Malay figure in Perak, might have been seen as a rival.

Aziz claimed that Faizal was insecure about his position and this may have prevented him from functioning as a state exco effectively.

“I was given education, environment and information portfolios, among others.

“Immediately, after the announcement of portfolios, I went to see him to discuss how information portfolio should function.

“But instead of helping, Faizal took away the portfolio without even telling me!” recalled Aziz.

“I have no idea why Faizal dislikes me, I didn’t know him, in fact, I never met him before I became exco in May 2018.

“With regard to his accusations that I wanted to topple him, I would like to state categorically that I never had such ideas.

“I knew the choice of MB is a party matter and it’s the party that decides,” stressed Aziz.