GEORGE TOWN: The Federal Court ruling that Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir is the rightful Perak menteri besar is contrary to the basic democratic principle that a government must be elected by the people.

Expressing DAP's disappointment at the Federal Court’s unanimous decision, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng in a statement reiterated his call for fresh state polls to be held.

"Any government that does not derive any directly elected mandate, not only violates the democratic principle of people’s power but also questions the legitimacy of a people-centric government of the people, by the people and for the people.

"Whatever claims the Barisan Nasional and Zambry may make over the state government of Perak, there is no denying the fact that both were not democratically elected by the people of Perak in the 2008 general elections.

"To restore democracy and the constitutional right of  the people to determine their government, DAP reiterates our call to BN to dissolve the Perak state assembly and return power to the people by holding fresh elections," Lim said.