Anwar says will ‘advise’ Azmin on purported discontent over Selangor job

Zurairi AR, TMI

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today dodged questions about the “uneasiness” raised by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali over a unilateral appointment at the Selangor Mentri Besar’s Office, saying only that he will “advise” the latter on the matter.

Azmin was reported today to have expressed his unhappiness with the appointment of party secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution as political liaison officer in the office of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, citing “uneasiness” from the grassroots.

“I will advise him accordingly,” said de facto party leader Anwar to reporters here, referring to Azmin.

Malay language daily Sinar Harian quoted Selangor PKR chief Azmin today as saying that the appointment has caused friction among grassroots leaders in the state.

According to Azmin, the issue has been hotly debated by party members since Anwar announced it during the Ninth PKR National Congress last week in Petaling Jaya.

Azmin had said the appointment was made without consulting the party, suggesting that a Selangor party leader has managed to win over the hearts of the state’s residents.

Besides Azmin, PAS state commissioner Dr Rani Osman was also omitted from the state exco list, which saw DAP’s Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh named the nation’s first woman Speaker, and her deputy, PKR’s Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the youngest.

Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid has since explained Azmin and Rani’s omission, saying that the two names were given low priorities by their respective parties during nomination for exco candidates.