Azmin still on PKNS board, says Anwar
(MM) – PKR’s Azmin Ali remains a board member of the Selangor State Economic Development (PKNS) despite a previous annoucement of his termination, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim insisted today.
Seated beside Azmin in the news conference at the party’s headquarters here, the PKR adviser sought to end the “confusion” on the matter, saying that there could have been a miscommunication which led to Azmin’s exit from the Selangor-owned company.
“As far as I know, Azmin’s position as PKNS board member stays. PKNS cannot terminate him, only the mentri besar can do it.
“I am still discussing with Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim,” Anwar told reporters.
When asked to comment, Azmin declined, saying Anwar’s explanation was sufficient for the time being.
However, Azmin’s position on PKNS remains doubtful with the company saying in a statement earlier today that it had sent out a letter to inform the PKR deputy president the Selangor state executive council had decided on his removal last year.
In a two-paragraph statement, PKNS executive secretary Norita Mohd Sidek refuted Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s claim yesterday it was PKNS general manager Othman Omar who axed Azmin from the board.
“Azmin’s tenure is until 2015, and I have not been told otherwise.
“No one actually wants him to go,” Anwar said.
Azmin was reported to have received a letter from PKNS on January 10, informing him that his tenure on the board of the state government firm would not be renewed.
Selangor PKR then held an emergency meeting and its secretary Amirudin Shari reportedly said that Khalid would be asked to explain Azmin’s termination to the party.
“The state should have informed the leadership if they wanted to drop anyone recommended by the party,” Amirudin was quoted as saying by The Star daily on Monday.
The Batu Caves assemblyman pointed out that PKR, at its extraordinary general meeting last year, had amended its constitution.
According to Amirudin, the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government is required to refer to PKR of any change to the positions in state-owned companies, held by those it had recommended.
