As Pakatan crumbles, Azmin and Selangor in tight spot
(The Malaysian Insider) – The collapse of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is bound to have an impact on the Selangor state government and is turning up pressure on its Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, while exco members from PAS face the possibility of being sacked.
The political bureau of PKR, of which Azmin is deputy president, met last night to discuss Pakatan’s demise. But although no official announcement was made after the meeting, The Malaysian Insider understands that discussions were centred on collaboration with DAP.
PKR is the lynchpin party of the seven-year old opposition pact, now struggling to keep together after DAP went ahead to declare it had ended since PAS’s decision to cut ties with it.
A source said Azmin did not attend the meeting as the PKR deputy president was away in Kelantan for work.
A few considerations are being looked into before PKR comes out and makes a stand on the fate of the coalition.
One scenario might see PAS exco members being sacked or asked to resign voluntarily.
Azmin is under pressure to make a decision, more so because it is said that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was among those who supported his candidacy as Selangor MB over PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during the menteri besar imbroglio last year.
“There is no statement from Azmin, negotiations are still ongoing.
“In the current climate, Azmin is in a spot and whatever choice he makes will have an impact on the party and also the state government,” the source added.
But circumstances might force Azmin to sack the three PAS exco as DAP could pressure Azmin to do so.
Although DAP has not openly called for it while waiting for PKR to make an announcement, the same outcome has already transpired in Penang, when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said PAS representatives in the DAP-led state government and its agencies should quit.
A PAS member, who was information officer with the Penang Chief Minister’s office, was removed, and the PAS whip in the Penang Island City Council has resigned. Separately and at their own initiative, former PAS leaders Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Mohamad Sabu quit their Penang government positions soon after PAS adopted a motion without debate to cut ties with DAP at its muktamar or annual congress earlier this month.
All this turns up the heat on Azmin to make a choice: If he is for DAP, he needs to sack his PAS exco members.
But according to a source, forming a state government with DAP would not be an easy task, especially if the Selangor palace interferes in the impasse.
It is understood that the Palace is closely watching developments in the state’s political scene.
