We don’t share MP’s remark about Sultan’s powers on MB, says PAS

(Malay Mail Online) – PAS today distanced itself from a remark by one of its MPs who claimed that the Selangor Sultan should not have the absolute discretion on who should fill the mentri besar’s post, according to the party’s online mouthpiece, HarakahDaily

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad made that remark in his personal capacity and did not represent the view of the party, the Islamist party’s Secretary-General, Datuk Mustafa Ali was reported as saying.

“PAS’ stand is whatever which is enshrined in the Selangor Constitution, where His Highness has the final say in the mentri besar’s appointment,” Mustafa was quoted as saying.

Mustafa also warned PAS leaders against making personal opinions in public especially on sensitive matters, because it might be misconstrued as the party’s view, HarakahDaily reported.

Khalid made the remark in question yesterday when asked why PKR and DAP did not present alternatives to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the position.

“We should not give the Sultan the power to decide on who becomes MB solely because this is a constitutional monarchy,” he told reporters at a news conference.

But Khalid later insisted that the opinion was not his own, but one which has been discussed by “Internet users”, including academics and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself.

Khalid also said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) went ahead with Dr Wan Azizah’s candidacy because all three parties in the coalition were unanimous in their support for her.

On Sunday, PAS nominated two candidates to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as mentri besar— PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali—but the PR later whittled that down to just Wan Azizah.

Ahead of the weekend, the Islamist party’s stand on the matter had caused confusion with a key faction in PAS, including its president, supporting Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.