Cleaning up the mess in Selangor
Sin Chew Daily
After Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali took his oath as the new Selangor Mentri Besar, the storm that had struck the state for several months has finally passed, leaving a scarred, if not devastated, scene.
For PKR, the outcome is not the best and not what it had planned. However, it is not the worst, as it has successfully kept the post and prevented it from falling into the hands of PAS.
The six resolutions made by the PKR Supreme Council at an emergency meeting had bluntly exposed its helplessness in the Selangor Menteri Besar issue. While believing that the appointment this time was inconsistent with the procedures, did not meet the Selangor Constitution, violated the principle of democracy and affected the nobility of constitutional monarchy, it has no choice but to feebly accept party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s decision of “withdrawing from the nomination”, with the precondition of “not to make a precedent”.
The Sultan’s decision must be respected and not to be violated. It is a political reality. However, the Selangor Menteri Besar crisis has not only made the PKR feel helpless, regret and disappointed, but members of the public are inevitably worried and confused about the appointment procedures.
Selangor Sultan ordered the three Pakatan Rakyat component members to submit at least two, not exceeding four, names for the post but the PKR and DAP submitted only Wan Azizah’s name. The Sultan denounced the act as treason towards the Sultan. Eventually, the Sultan chose Azmin, instead of Wan Azizah who has obtained signatures of support from the majority of state assembly members. It is tantamount to a precedent in our country pursuing the Westminster system. It requires observation to measure how profound the impact it brings to the political system of other states and even the country.
From the Kajang by-election to the decision of choosing Azmin as the new menteri besar, the biggest loser is undoubtedly PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar had repeatedly made wrong judgements and decisions throughout the incident. He had not only underestimated the ability of former Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, but also misjudged the wishes and responses of PAS. He had even apologised twice to the Sultan and it is indeed a great blow to him and the PKR.
Some radicals from PAS had openly opposed to the PKR and Anwar along the Selangor crisis. Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang even described the two PAS assembly members who pledged support to Wan Azizah without the approval of the party leadership as “barua” (lackeys), while blaming the PKR and DAP for “stealing” its assembly members. PAS’s defiance has cast a shadow to the relationship among the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, while severely challenging Anwar’s “common leader” in Pakatan Rakyat.
Anyways, Azmin has taken the office and it is an unchangeable fact. What Pakatan Rakyat should do now is to find ways to clean up the mess after the storm, stop political confrontation, get back to its obligation, realise its commitments of making a Selangor an advanced state to benefit the people, as well as the country!
