MB in veiled blow to detractors, says monarchy customs should be adhered to
“There were some palace officials who asked me whether these people are learned or understand the customs and etiquette of the palace and the state.”
Meena Lakshana, fz.com
In a latent blow to detractors, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today there are certain customs and etiquette that should be adhered to on the appointment of the Selangor Menteri Besar.
Responding to queries on whether PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will replace him as Menteri Besar, Abdul Khalid delivered a veiled blow to PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin on their statements referring to his position.
“There were some palace officials who asked me whether these people are learned or understand the customs and etiquette of the palace and the state,” he said during a press conference after the state executive council meeting.
“So we need to show our wisdom in our efforts,” Abdul Khalid added.
He reiterated that any discussion about a change of the Selangor menteri besar needs to include the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and the Pakatan Rakyat.
“I shouldn’t be the one to comment. That will be up to Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.
Wan Azizah had beaten MCA’s vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun to clinch the Kajang state seat with a reduced majority of 5,379 votes amid a low voter turnout last Sunday at the by-election polls.
In the 13th General Election, Lee Chin Cheh clinched the position with a majority of 6,824 votes. Lee resigned in January to make way for party supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was widely speculated to replace Abdul Khalid as Menteri Besar.
The move was speculated to have been initiated to consolidate the party by cooling tensions between Abdul Khalid’s camp and that of Azmin following his alleged sacking from the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS).
Both Azmin and Zuraida were critical of Abdul Khalid’s administration, and also seemed to have supported a change in the state leadership.
However, PKR leaders repeatedly shot down that conjecture, saying the Kajang move was necessary to quell religious and racial fissures in the state for which they blame the BN, and in particular, Umno.
At first, Anwar denied he was gunning for the MB-ship then later seemingly swayed in his stand, saying he was open to it.
On March 7, Anwar was compelled to drop out of the race when the Federal Court overturned his High Court acquittal for the Sodomy II charge, and sentenced him to five-years jail.
It was reported last month that former Court of Appeals judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah said according to Article 51 of the State Constitution 1959, only the Sultan has the sole power to decide who the MB is.
He had said the Sultan of Selangor has absolute power on two matters.
The ruler can make a decision without advice in the selection of menteri besar and in the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly.
He added that the Selangor government can nominate their preferred candidate but if the Sultan rejects the nominee, Pakatan will have to come up with an alternative.
