A northern Malaysian state has found itself with two governments, as the opposition refused a royal command to stand down in favour of the national coalition.

A new leader from the Barisan Nasional coalition for Perak state was sworn in recently, triggering a demonstration by some 3,000 opposition supporters who were teargassed by police.

But Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who for the past year has served as the state’s chief minister for the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, insisted he was still in charge and held a meeting of his ‘state cabinet’ last weekend. He made announcements on several policy issues including approving extensions on leases for industrial land, and appointing local councillors.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional’s new chief minister, Zambry Abdul Kadir, made his first public appearance in his role, at a Lunar New Year function in the state which has a large ethnic Chinese community.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak defended the Barisan Nasional’s power grab in Perak, after four lawmakers defected from the Pakatan Rakyat, which won control in general elections a year ago.