Azizah’s fate as Selangor MB lies in Pas’ hands

(NST) – PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said the ball is now in Pas’ court to get their Selangor assemblymen to sign the statutory declaration (SD) in support of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to be the new menteri besar.

Speaking after the PKR national congress today, Azmin said the remaining 13 Pas state assemblyman have not signed the statutory declaration to support PKR’s nomination.

“We have sent 30 signatures to the palace, we already have the majority.

“The rest (of the Pakatan assemblymen) have not signed the statutory declaration, I can only speak for those who have,” he said.

It was up to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to analyse the documents and make a decision, he added.

“To me, we have to respect the process and it is up to the Sultan to make a decision.”

“The Pas central committee meeting chaired by their president had already made a stand to remain in Pakatan, and had agreed to appoint a new menteri besar, maintain Dr Wan Azizah’s candidacy and also to nominate a second name,” he said.

Pas central committee had nominated Azmin as the second candidate for the menteri besar post but he had declined it.

Meanwhile, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the party respected Pas’ decision to nominate two names for the Selangor menteri besar’s post.

“As for now, we will stick with our party’s decision to nominate Dr Wan Azizah as the next Selangor MB. However, we have also noted Pas’ wish to also nominate Azmin as a possible candidate,” he said.

The Pakatan coalition leadership had maintained their earlier decision to name Dr Wan Azizah as the sole candidate after Azmin turned down his nomination by Pas.

Anwar said he would leave it to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to make the final decision on who should helm the country’s wealthiest state.

Last week, 28 Selangor assemblymen from PKR and DAP had signed a SD to pledge their support for Dr Wan Azizah to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the Selangor MB.

Two out of Pas’ 15 lawmakers had also signed the same SD.

When asked if Pas’ remaining 13 assemblymen should sign the SD, Anwar said the matter did not arise.