ANWAR flays 'ridiculous' Najib, prays for Sultan's forgiveness & vows to defend constitutional monarchy

UPDATE 2 KUALA LUMPUR - Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his PKR's party stand to uphold and defend the Selangor state's constitutional monarchy, vowing to 'continue to pray for the Sultan's forgiveness' after a public chiding from the Ruler's private secretary for submitting only one nominee for the post of Mentri Besar or chief minister.

"Referring to a press statement signed by the Selangor palace's Private Secretary to His Majesty the Sultan yesterday, we will continue to pray and ask for forgiveness from His Majesty if our decision to abide by the State Constitution and the practice ("convention ") since 1957 has resulted in hurting the feelings of His Majesty the Sultan," Anwar, who is also the PKR adviser, said in a much anticipated statement.

PKR only following the Constitution

Anwar took aim at arch rival Prime Minister Najib Razak for his political hypocrisy after the latter opined that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition did not understand the Selangor State Constitution nor the Sultan's role.

"Dato 'Seri Najib has been with the UMNO leadership since 1983 and in 1993 supported a constitutional amendment to clarify the jurisdiction of His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in accordance with the principles of constitutional monarchy," said Anwar, referring to a controversial bill mooted by former premier Mahathir Mohamad that clipped the powers of the country's Sultans.

"The statement from Dato 'Seri Najib yesterday was ridiculous as it failes to recognize the PKR's right to uphold the rule of law and constitutional monarchy."

"Dato 'Seri Najib is aware that in the history of UMNO's rule since independence in 1957, UMNO and the Alliance, and the National Front now, only submits the name of one Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of Parliament for the post of Chief Minister or the Prime Minister."

"As Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib should be honest with his party's stand and the Barisan Nasional, rather than attacking PKR for complying with the same practice."

Bracing for snap polls

The 'Selangor crisis' erupted after MB Khalid Ibrahim refused to resign, having secured support from some PAS party leaders and purportedly from the Palace itself.

However, when he was sacked by PKR for refusing to make way for party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to take over, the Palace accepted his resignation but asked the Pakatan Rakyat coalition which controls the state government to provide more than 2 names for the Sultan to choose as his replacement.

Among the trio of parties that comprise the Pakatan coalition, PKR and DAP submitted only Azizah's name on the basis that this was the convention and they would only offer the name of the candidate who held the majority support of the state assembly.

PAS, which is in the throes a bitter internal power struggle, however sent in 3 names. The names are believed to be those of Azizah, PAS assemblyman Iskandar Samad and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. However, mystery continues to shroud the PAS list and there is no official confirmation from the party or the Palace as to who are on the list.

The Sultan is now widely expected to either call for dissolution of the state assembly paving the way for snap polls or to elect as MB the representative from PAS party.

PAS, which is split down the line by factions loyal to hardline president Hadi Awang and those who support the powerful clique of professionals controlling the party's decision-making central committee, has said it would decline the MB post if offered.

Nonetheless, it is unclear if PAS, which has flipped flopped numerous times in this issue, will still honor the pledge. -Malaysia Chronicle