For PAS, MB crisis a means to limit Anwar’s hold on Pakatan, Selangor
(TMM) – PAS’s refusal to agree on Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah’s candidacy as Selangor mentri besar is fuelled by the party’s desire to limit Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim influence in Pakatan Rakyat as well as the state.
Malay Mail Online understands that one of the main reasons why talks between Anwar and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang are still at a stalemate is because they are insisting on another candidate who will not be seen as publicly aligned to the PKR de-facto leader.
It is also understood that the Selangor palace’s recent refusal to meet Dr Wan Azizah over the MB crisis is being used as a reason by the Islamist party to insist on another candidate for the coveted post.
“That is the official reason being used by PAS…they don’t want Anwar to solidify his position in Selangor, and by extension lessen his influence in Pakatan Rakyat,” a senior PR leader told Malay Mail Online.
Another PR official said that Hadi is insisting that another name be put forward so that PAS will have the “flexibility” to choose besides Dr Wan Azizah, and ultimately end allegations of nepotism as she is Anwar’s wife.
“PAS wants a more neutral name, a name that all parties in Selangor can agree to,” the PKR leader said.
But Prof Dr Jayum A. Jawan from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) believes that PAS’s insistence on another MB candidate is not motivated by oft-floated theories of sexism and nepotism, but a means in which the party could assert its dominance within PR.
“I think it’s just a political play. PAS is trying to send a message to PKR that ‘we are very important in the coalition, we want to be consulted and we must be happy about the decision’.”
“They think Anwar’s leadership is too dominant. They are trying to water (down) his influence and leadership within Pakatan,” he told Malay Mail Online.
Jayum said PAS was trying to put forward its message that “we are one-third of Pakatan. We have our own stand and you have to give us due respect.”
However Jayum said it would be unreasonable to deny Dr Wan Azizah the Selangor mentri besar post because of nepotism claims, saying that she is a “natural choice” because she wields the highest-ranking position in PKR.
He said the next alternative would be PKR’s No. 2 Azmin Ali, saying “that’s following party hierarchy”.
MB Khalid has refused to acknowledge PKR and DAP’s claims of securing majority support to replace him, saying they needed to substantiate this with a motion of no-confidence against him.
The Selangor mentri besar said he is “aware” of the PKR president Dr Wan Azizah’s announcement made on Thursday , but said this meant nothing until it went through its proper process in the state assembly.
Two PAS state assemblymen have publicly expressed support for PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah to become Selangor mentri besar, effectively removing Khalid’s claim of commanding majority support.
