The Federal Court's decision today to dismiss Pakatan Rakyat's Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin's appeal and declaring Zambry Abd Kadir of BN as the rightful Perak menteri besar drew a variety of opinions from the legal fraternity.

Here are some responses.

Shad Saleem Faruqi, law professor

The decision is expected. There are two issues - Nizar lost the majority and the sultan rejected his request to dissolve the state assembly. It was a stalemate. 

I am not surprised with the Federal Court's decision. Since it is not a clear-cut matter, the court will give Zambry the benefit of the doubt.

George Varughese, Bar Council secretary

It may not be the most popular of decisions, but the highest court has decided. We will have to respect that. Still, I am neither surprised nor happy, as my interpretation of the Perak constitution is not the same as the Federal Court. This is my personal view.

Zaid Ibrahim, former law minister and Pakatan coordinator

NONEAs I said before, our judges in the upper echelon of the judiciary will continue to fail the people of this country. Today, the principles governing parliamentary democracy and the rule of law have been sacrificed because they have to please the political masters.

I hope the BN leaders in the midst of their celebrations realise the significance of the ruling. It means that the monarch can refuse the appointment of a menteri besar chosen by the party in power (as in Terengganu) but now can dismiss the lawful menteri besar if he so chooses. Another black day for the country.

Professor Abdul Aziz Bari, constitutional law expert

NONEIt is bad news for democracy for the court has reduced the constitution - which sought to put in place a democratic government - to a mere legal document. One wonders whether judges really understood the concept of responsible government.

The court in this instance has added another case to a list of cases that go against the very idea of constitutionalism and democracy, which stand at the very heart of the constitution. It is a pity that the court took a literal and pedantic approach that throws democracy out of the window.