IT'S UMNO WHO WILL PRESS THE BUTTONS? Azmin says he will not be ‘remote controlled’ by Anwar

KLANG - Mohamed Azmin Ali today denied rumours that he will be "remotely controlled" by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"I will be guided by the constitution and policies for the rakyat," he said.

When asked if he would reinstate Anwar as the state economic adviser, Azmin said he will decide after reviewing the decision made by the previous administration under former mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim yesterday, to close down the State Economic Adviser's office to save cost.

Anwar was appointed the adviser in 2009 and the office was placed under Mentri Besar Incorporated for the state to benefit from his experience and expertise as former finance minister and former deputy prime minister.

Meanwhile, the new state executive councillors are expected to be sworn in at the palace here on Friday, Azmin said.

He said he will discuss with the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and the palace on who will be part of the state administration.

"I will have discussions in the next two days, before making any announcement on Thursday."

He also said as the mentri besar, he will do his best to consolidate and strengthen Pakatan in Selangor.

When asked about what will be his challenges in the next 100 days, Azmin said he will discuss with the state secretary on the issues that need to be given priority over others.

"I want to ensure the development in Selangor will continue, including taking into account the state security."

Having been in Khalid's administration as an assemblyman, he said he will continue to implement people-centric policies and govern Selangor responsibly and with integrity.

He said it is his responsibility to look after the welfare of the people of Selangor.

"My style of work is not to wear a coat and tie, but to wear a short- sleeved shirt and go to villages and districts and listen to the people's problems," said Azmin.

He admitted that he has a lot on his plate after several months of the Selangor government crisis.

Azmin said the Sultan had asked him to build a strong relationship with state officials.

Sultan had also asked him to govern the state in a collective manner.

Azmin also thanked his parents for raising him to be the man he is today.

The 50-year-old said he was brought up at his childhood home in Kampung Klang Gate, Gombak, where his parents were early settlers.

He said he knows the meaning of hardship as he did not come from a wealthy family.

"I used to herd goats and reared chicken in the kampung.

"I vividly remember my journey from hardship to where I am today," he said.

"I thanked my mom for teaching me the meaning of trust and responsibility," said Azmin at his childhood home where his mother threw a kenduri to celebrate his appointment as the mentri besar. -Sundaily