PKR says it again: Dr Wan Azizah is party’s sole MB choice
(Malay Mail Online) – PKR has not swayed from its decision to nominate party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the post of Selangor mentri besar, the party said today in yet another denial of reports claiming otherwise.
In a statement here, PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his party leaders and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in particular, have not offered any agreement, verbal or otherwise, to the nomination of any other candidate for the coveted Selangor position.
“The decision and stand of PKR is premised on the party’s belief in upholding the Selangor Constitution and the system of constitutional monarchy.
“Therefore, no report should give the impression that PKR has strayed from its decision,” the politician said.
After the Selangor palace confirmed earlier this week that a new mentri besar will get sworn in next Tuesday, rumours on who would get appointed to the post began spreading like wildfire.
According to a report on The Star yesterday, Dr Wan Azizah was not part of the list of three who were called up for interviews with the Selangor Sultan over the week, presumably over their potential to be the next chief executive of the country’s richest state.
The English daily said the three were PAS state executive councillors Iskandar Samad and Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, and Dr Wan Azizah’s deputy, Azmin Ali.
The paper claimed that Azmin, who is Selangor PKR chief and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman, had informed his party de facto leader Anwar of the meeting with the palace.
Citing sources, the daily reported that Azmin did so to prevent any misunderstanding on the matter and Anwar, in his response, purportedly agreed that it was “time to move on”.
Following The Star’s report, news began to spread that Anwar had purportedly given his blessings to Azmin should the palace choose him to be the next mentri besar.
But yesterday, Saifuddin and several other PKR leaders vehemently denied this.
The leaders told Malay Mail Online that this did not make sense because the party had just requested for an audience with the Selangor Sultan to convince the ruler of Dr Wan Azizah’s support among state lawmakers, before he names a new mentri besar this Tuesday.
“No. There was no agreement, to Anwar did not agree to Azmin being MB,” a senior PKR leader told Malay Malay Online.
“The scenario was discussed, yes, but that does not mean there was a decision. Iskandar Abdul Samad as the new MB was also discussed, does that mean we agree to a PAS MB?” added the source.
Another party insider said that while the Azmin as MB scenario was discussed during a PKR meeting yesterday, there was no final decision on the matter.
“It will be brought for further discussion. The democratic process must be observed,” the PKR leader explained.
PKR has remained adamant that Dr Wan Azizah is the best choice for the MB post, as the PKR president previously secured from 30 state lawmakers in the 56-seat Selangor assembly.
The party has insisted that this was clear proof that she commands the majority support among the state’s elected representatives.
