‘Already a Pakatan consensus to replace MB’

(Malaysiakini) – There is already an “internal agreement” among Pakatan Rakyat leaders to replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar, said PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

In a statement, he said, that the consensus includes the “majority” of PAS leaders, but the actual change would take time.

“Many are aware that there is an internal agreement among all Pakatan parties, including a majority of PAS, to replace the Selangor MB. This is not new, but the transition requires time to ensure it is smooth,” Shamsul said.

As such, he said, all Pakatan leaders including Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Samad to be more consultative on the matter before making any statements.

“I would like to remind Iskandar, who is also a state executive council member on the importance of musyawarah (discussion) so as not to create problems, as we saw in the appointment of MB and chief ministers in states won by Pakatan like in Kelantan, Penang and Kedah prior to this.

“Do not fall into a hole twice. Do not think the MB post is for a certain individual without taking into consideration of the party voices,” he said.

Sultan and rakyat considered

Shamsul, who is also Bukit Katil MP said that the decision to replace the MB also takes into consideration the people’s views and the Selangor sultan’s approval.

“The democratic principle is clear as the people could choose its representatives and parties which cooperate to form a majority can form the government.

“An MB has to obtain support from the majority of the assemblypersons and be approved by the sultan to take up the responsibility,” he said.

He also said that the post does not bring any particular benefit, but is a responsibility which must be fulfilled by the ruling party to ensure a continuous mandate for the next general election.

Iskandar had previously said that Pakatan must gather public opinion regarding a possible change in the MB’s post.

“Do not ever sideline the people’s wishes. They too have their rights because a MB is not owned by politicians but is owned by the rakyat,” Iskandar had said,

He added that was only fair that grassroots opinion is sought during times such as these.

Speculation that Khalid will removed as MB was first raised in January, when the Kajang assembly seat was vacated to pave the way for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to enter the state legislative assembly.

His wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail stood in the by-election instead, when the Court of Appeal overturned his sodomy acquittal. Anwar is appealing the verdict at the Federal Court.