Azmin Ali “pleasantly surprised” at being named as second candidate by PAS

(The Star) – PKR Deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was pleasantly surprised at PAS naming him as the second candidate to replace embattled Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Azmin, who is Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman, said his nomination, which came as a surprise, would be discussed at the Pakatan Rakyat presidential council later on Sunday.

“To me, what is more important is that PAS has shown that it remains committed towards Pakatan and intends to move forward with our common struggle in the future,” he told The Star.

Azmin thanked PAS’s central committee, in particular party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who endorsed the party’s decision.

He said he would comment further after the party’s presidential council had discussed the matter.

PKR has agreed to nominate Dr Wan Azizah as sole candidate to replace Khalid with both PAS and DAP reaffirm this through earlier press statement.

PAS’s Syura and Ulama Councils had both rejected Dr Wan Azizah as a candidate.

On Thursday, Dr Wan Azizah claimed she should be Selangor MB after garnering support from 29 other assemblymen out of 56 who signed statutory declarations (SDs) declaring support for her.

Two of those who signed were from PAS, while all 15 DAP assemblymen and 13 PKR representatives also signed, including Azmin.

On Tuesday, Khalid sacked six PKR and DAP state executive councillors and retained four PAS state excos to help him administered the state.