Selangor MB crisis: DAP adamant that Wan Azizah should be mentri besar
(The Star) – With PAS pulling back on its support for Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to remain as Selangor Mentri Besar, DAP is adamant with its stand on pushing PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the successor.
On Sunday, PAS retracted its support for Khalid and nominated Wan Azizah and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali to replace embattled Khalid to resolve the impasse.
According to Selangor DAP treasurer Ng Sze Han, DAP and PKR had signed a declaration a few days ago for Wan Azizah to replace Khalid as the mentri besar.
“Our stand is very clear which is for Wan Azizah to take over and this declaration was also signed by Azmin Ali himself,” he said.
On possibilities for Khalid to remain as the mentri besar until November when the state assembly convenes, Ng said it would be morally wrong for Khalid to stay on.
“While we will always abide to what the Palace has to say about this, it is, however, obvious that he (Khalid) has to go because now no one in Pakatan supports him,” he said.
PKR’s Dr Xavier Jayakumar also echoed the call for Khalid to step down.
The Seri Andalas assemblyman urged Khalid to make a statement stating that the latter was only a caretaker mentri besar until the Sultan returns to the country on Aug 27.
“Morally, he should step down, as there is no reason now that PAS has decided not to support him,” he said.
On PAS retracting its support for Khalid, Dr Xavier said it should have been done much earlier.
“The decision should have been made days ago as it would have at least spared us the recent dramas,” he said.
Selangor PAS secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman, in a statement, said the party would continue to work with whichever candidate that is appointed by the Palace.
“PAS Selangor will uphold the commandment of the Sultan of Selangor in this matter,” he said, urging fellow party members to respect and abide by this decision made by PAS in not supporting Khalid as the mentri besar.
Selangor Umno chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar said he would wait for the decision of his party leaders before making any statements on the matter.
Umno previously said all 12 of its Selangor assemblymen were in support of Khalid as the mentri besar.
