Anwar doesn’t run Selangor, says Azmin
(The Malaysian Insider) – PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is not secretly calling the shots behind the Selangor government, Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali told a Malay paper.
Azmin, who was sworn in last month, said decisions made by his administration were based on the wisdom of the executive councillors.
“I believe that Anwar wants me to be an effective leader,” Azmin told Sinar Harian, adding that he was free to make independent decisions.
“I have spent 30 years with Anwar. The experience I have gained during that time has taught me how to be a leader, someone who is decisive and effective.
“I believe that Anwar wants me to adopt the same principles in governing Selangor,” Azmin told the paper.
Azmin said the day-to-day administration of the state was handled by the executive councillors, who made collective decisions.
Azmin said in the past month of leading Selangor’s government, many big decisions made were independent of party interference.
“I made these decision based on facts and needs, not because I had been ordered to,” he told Sinar Harian.
Azmin has been a long and loyal associate of opposition leader Anwar and was Anwar’s aide when the latter was an Umno minister.
Last month, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accused Azmin of being Anwar’s “puppet”.
“Azmin can only become a good menteri besar if he does not follow instructions from other people,” Dr Mahathir had said.
