Despite Pakatan consensus, PAS won’t endorse Wan Azizah as sole MB candidate
(Malay Mail Online) – The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) “consensus” over the Selangor mentri besar crisis is unravelling as PAS has refused to officially endorse Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the sole nominee for the position.
Malay Mail Online understands that PKR and DAP have drafted an official letter in support of Dr Wan Azizah to be submitted to the Selangor palace to demonstrate that she commands support from all PR lawmakers in Selangor.
The letter was supposed to have been signed by secretaries-general from all three parties, in accordance with a PR statement that an agreement was reached on the pick of Dr Wan Azizah on August 17.
But only PKR and DAP have signed on as PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang did not agree with the language contained in the letter.
PAS sought unsuccessfully to convince its allies to name PKR no. 2 Azmin Ali as an alternative to Dr Wan Azizah, but continues to stress its desire for two nominees.
“Pakatan had a presidential council meeting yesterday (Friday), supposedly for PAS to sign the letter.
“Understand Hadi has some issues with the way the endorsement for Dr Wan Azizah is worded and has refused to sign,” a senior PR leader told Malay Mail Online.
Another PR leader said that Hadi is still insisting that two names be submitted as Selangor MB candidates, despite Azmin stating earlier he would give way to Dr Wan Azizah.
The clock is now ticking for PR, with the same leaders saying they were informed that the Selangor Sultan is set to return home on Sunday, earlier than the initially scheduled August 27.
“It is not exactly rejecting Wan Azizah, but insisting on putting two names despite Azmin withdrawing.
“I understand from them that PAS wants to meet on Monday then only decide on the letter… our argument is that it will be too late,” he told Malay Mail Online, pointing out that MB Khalid is scheduled to meet the Selangor Sultan then.
Both Hadi and PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali were not present at the PR presidential council meeting, and they were represented by deputy president Mohamad Sabu.
“PAS refused to adhere to Pakatan consensus achieved on August 17 as per the PR statement.
“PAS has also to date refused to write in to the palace alongside PKR and DAP to endorse Kak Wan (Dr Wan Azizah), despite the urgency of the matter,” the PR leader added.
The source said that Dr Wan Azizah may now have no other choice but to rely on the support of the 30 assemblyman (all 28 from PKR and DAP along with two from PAS) as evidence that she commands majority support of the Selangor state assembly.
MB Khalid was sacked from PKR on August 9 for openly resisting his party’s order for him to step down and make way for Dr Wan Azizah.
He is said to be weighing a dissolution of the state assembly to resolve the protracted crisis over the mentri besar’s post.
PR last week insisted Khalid has lost the confidence of the majority of the state’s lawmakers after the representatives of PKR, PAS, and DAP banded together to support his removal.
