PKR & DAP defy Sultan, insists on only Wan Azizah’s name

(The Star) – In defiance of a decree by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, PKR and DAP will forward only PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s name for consideration for the post of the mentri besar.

In a joint statement signed by PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua late Tuesday, the two parties maintained their recommendation of Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the Sultan’s consideration.

The component parties said a single name nomination was in line with the convention practised by Pakatan Rakyat in 2013 especially after the PKR party president had a majority support of at least 30 state assemblymen, including herself.

“In 2013, the Sultan had also requested for Pakatan Rakyat component parties to nominate more than one name for the appointment of mentri besar that year.

“That request was conveyed to PKR, PAS and DAP through a letter dated May 7, 2013 and it reflected the convention practised by the Sultan.

“Subsequent to that request, Pakatan submitted a single name nomination which was Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for the Sultan’s consideration. This nomination was agreed and used by His Highness,” it said.

On Tuesday, Khalid said he had submitted his resignation letter but that the Sultan had deferred acceptance of it until a suitable replacement could be named.

The Sultan had requested Pakatan Rakyat component parties to submit more than two names each for consideration for the post of mentri besar.