Wan Azizah: I Don’t Mind Being Called A Puppet

(NST) – PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she does not mind being called a ‘puppet’ if the move to install her as the Selangor menteri besar is successful.

She said that should she become MB, she would appoint her husband, de facto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as her consultant and adviser.

Addressing party members at an event in Klang last night, Wan Azizah said the only reason she was roped in to become the MB was because Anwar had his opportunity ‘snatched away’ from him.

“We strategised the Kajang Move to make Anwar an assemblyman and later, the menteri besar but this was thwarted by the Barisan Nasional-led Federal government.

“As the Selangor MB post was always for Anwar in the first place, I would not hesitate to call on him as my consultant and advisor when I become the MB.”

She claimed that Anwar has the necessary experience to advise her as he was once appointed by Qatar as its economic advisor.

Wan Azizah also took a swipe at under-fire MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, saying that he should realise that he is no longer involved in the corporate sector.

She said she and Khalid had not met since her candidacy was announced.

Meanwhile, PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli, who was also present, said there was still a chance for Abdul Khalid to remain as MB if he met with the party leadership and committee to explain the accusations against him by the party’s secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“We have little tolerance to allegations pertaining to integrity as we have always promised the people that we would be different and stand by our principles,” he said.

In a meeting on Sunday, the PKR leadership had discussed the sacking of Khalid from his party membership if he still refused to vacate his state post following the party’s re quest.

Rafizi said those who want Khalid to step down would not mind resorting to snap polls in order to make Wan Azizah the MB.