Selangor MB crisis: Cracks show in PAS as ulama wing backs Hadi
(Malay Mail Online) – PKR’s latest attempt to unseat Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is causing a major split within Islamist ally PAS with one faction now saying the Selangor mentri besar should stay put while another wants him replaced with Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
PAS acting ulama wing chief Datuk Ahmad Yaakob said today that the ulama faction “fully supports” PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s endorsement of Khalid retaining his post as MB.
In a statement here, the Kelantan mentri besar insisted that Hadi’s words represent the party’s stand and all members should respect this.
“The PAS Dewan Ulama calls on all PAS members to understand the president’s wisdom in the matter, what more with the fact that the president has the final say in several issues which require an immediate decision,” Ahmad, referring to Hadi’s support for MB Khalid.
Ahmad also pointed out that Hadi’s decision was in line with PAS’ official stand made during the recent Kajang by-election.
“The issue of mentri besar does not arise,” he said, adding that till today there have been no “concrete” reasons given to justify Khalid stepping down as MB.
“He (Khalid) should be allowed to carry on his duties until the end of his term,” added Ahmad.
The PAS leader also reminded Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies PKR and DAP that a change of mentri besar cannot happen without the consensus of all three parties and that such efforts can also “confuse” the people of Selangor.
Ahmad’s remarks come hours after PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that Hadi’s support for Khalid to remain as MB is not the Islamist party’s official stand.
Mohamad, popularly referred to as Mat Sabu, said Hadi’s backing of Khalid was only a “personal” view and insisted that PAS would only state its official position on whether or not it agrees to replace Khalid after the top leadership meets on August 10.
Yesterday, Hadi publicly expressed his support for Khalid to remain as Selangor Mentri Besar despite allies PKR and the DAP’s open declaration that they want Khalid replaced.
“I have heard all the arguments, and I find that majority of PAS grassroots are in agreement that Khalid Ibrahim should remain as mentri besar,” Hadi was quoted as saying in Terengganu yesterday.
Hadi’s defiance, if followed through as PAS’s official position, could push Selangor into a leadership crisis and possibly force the state to hold early elections, observers said.
Political pundits also believe that a snap poll could break the three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
In a strongly-worded statement earlier this week, Khalid warned that any attempt to replace him must be done according to the state legislative enactment, which contained several processes or provisions before a new state mentri besar can assume office.
Khalid survived his own party’s abortive “Kajang Move” to oust him from the position last March, but surfacing controversies in the state have since renewed the push to have him replaced.
Among others, these include the still-unresolved row over the seizure of bibles in the state and Khalid’s perceived partiality towards the developers of the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) that is facing mounting resistance from state residents.
A major barrier to Khalid’s removal was the absence of a clear candidate to replace him, with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail previously touted as the most likely candidate.
