Mohamad Sabu (seated third left) together with PAS top leadership in a press conference after a special central working committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS yesterday announced the party no longer support the leadership of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor Menteri Besar.
In announcing its stand that was quite confusing, PAS said it also directed the party’s four exco members to be retained in the administration of the state government under Abdul Khalid’s leadership.
The party has nominated two names, namely PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her deputy Mohamad Azmin Ali as the candidates for the new Menteri Besar to replace Abdul Khalid.
The decision was reached unanimously by the party’s top leadership after a special central working committee meeting, effectively withdrawing its previous support for Abdul Khalid.
PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu told reporters after the meeting that the party would not claim the Selangor Menteri Besar’s post from PKR and would continue to be commited to Pakatan Rakyat in implementing the ‘Tahaluf Siyasi’ political cooperation.
“PAS also respects the prevailing spirit in Pakatan Rakyat in nominating names as candidates for Menteri Besar,” he said.
Mohamad said PAS did not support Abdul Khalid as Menteri Besar despite getting the consent from the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, because the Port Klang state assemblyman was no longer a PKR member.
He said PAS practised the Tahaluf Siyasi political cooperation with other parties in Pakatan Rakyat and not with the individuals.
“It is the party’s (PAS) decision, not the opposition coalition’s and it was made without pressure from any quarters,” he said.
When asked why PAS nominated the two names, Mohamad, however, failed to give a precise reply and only said: “Two names because not 10 (names).”
He said the decision was made and agreed by all PAS leaders at the meeting yesterday.
“We suggested two names and we will determine these two names in a meeting this evening (with PKR and DAP),” he said.
Asked about the post of PAS exco members who were still working with the Selangor state government under Abdul Khalid’s administration, Mohamad said they would continue their duties until the transit ion period.
“This is to ensure service for the people is not affected,” he said.
He said the party will also conduct investigations on two state assemblymen who stated their support for Wan Azizah as Selangor Menteri Besar without prior agreement from the party.
The two assemblymen are Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib and Morib assemblyman Hasnul Baharuddin.
Meanwhi le PAS central working committee member Suhaizan Kaiat said the Syura Ulama Council’s earlier support for Abdul Khalid as menteri besar was no longer val id following yesterday’s special meeting.
“The Syura Ulama Council’s (earlier) decision was made while Abdul Khalid was still a Pakatan Rakyat member but now he is no longer a member,” he said.
Commenting on the views of certain quarters that Wan Azizah would become a ‘puppet’ menteri besar to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim if she was chosen as menteri besar, Suhaizan, who is also PAS youth chief, said it was merely an assumption.
“Both of them have their own strength that meets the criteria to qualify them to become menteri besar,” he said.
Selangor PAS secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman said his side would cooperate with whoever was appointed as Menteri Besar with the consent of the Selangor Sultan.
“We are firm in asking all PAS state assemblymen and party leaders at all grassroot level to adhere to the decision, including complying to the party’s code of conduct,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Seri Andalas state assemblyman from PKR, Dr Xavier Jayakumar, when contacted, said Abdul Khalid needed to quit his post following the latest PAS decision.
Selangor Umnoliaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar said state Umno would wait for the party leadership’s decision before making any statement on the issue.
Meanwhile in Kota Baharu, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat will meet with Abdul Hadi to get further clarifi cation on the party’s decision on the political crisis in Selangor.
The former Kelantan menteri besar would make a statement after the meeting which is expected to be held at the Institut Pemikiran Tok Guru in Kota Darulnaim today, he told reporters when met at his residence in Kampung Pulau Melaka here.
In Shah Alam, Selangor Youth and Sports, Infrastructure and Public Utilities Committee chairman Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi said the latest decision was relevant to ensure Pakatan Rakyat continued to rule the developed state.
Describing Abdul Khalid’s administration as good the PAS state assemblyman, however, said the mandate given by the people to the state leadership was under Pakatan Rakyat and not an independent candidate.
Meanwhile Islamic Affairs, Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Development Committee chairman Sallehen Mukhyi said PAS’ decision was in accordance with the right procedure to avoid conf lict within Pakatan Rakyat and give confi dence to the people.
PAS would not betray PR. — Bernama