Fearing a split, PAS delays decision on Selangor MB to August 13
(The Malaysian Insider) – PAS has pushed to August 13 its crucial decision on replacing the Selangor Menteri Besar, in what is seen as an attempt to stave off a devastating split in the Islamist party and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said today the delay was due to recent developments that require further deliberations.
“We need to change it to go along with current needs,” Mustafa told The Malaysian Insider.
PAS is the only party whose senior officials have publicly backed current menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to stay on in his second term. But their stand is risking a split within the party and could risk the break up of PR, which was formed in 2008.
The Port Klang assemblyman is facing the possibility of being sacked from PKR for refusing to make way for party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to take over the top job in the country’s wealthiest state.
Earlier today, the PAS Shura Council announced that it wanted Khalid retained as menteri besar, sharpening the divide with their Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally PKR who wants him replaced.
But the top council of clerics also said they were willing to re-assess their stand on the issue if Khalid is prosecuted by the authorities such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or the courts.
The clerics, led by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and his deputy Datuk Dr Haron Din had met yesterday.
The Shura Council is the highest decision-making body after the PAS muktamar, and is chaired by Nik Aziz with Haron as his deputy and Datuk Nik Zawawi Salleh as secretary.
It was reported that the decision of the council, which is a higher body, could influence the outcome of the CEC meeting.
