Ruler’s reprimand over single MB nominee forces PKR to take ‘appropriate steps’

Saifuddin said today's PKR meeting focused on the latest developments in the Selangor MB crisis. - The Malaysian Insider pic, September 4, 2014.PKR will take "necessary and appropriate steps" in the next 48 hours following the reprimand from the Selangor Palace for only nominating its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the Selangor Menteri Besar post.

Party secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail who refused to be drawn into questions if the multi-racial party will submit more than two names as requested by the Selangor Sultan acknowledged that PKR had received a letter from the Palace yesterday.

"We will take necessary and appropriate steps. We will act accordingly in the next 48 hours," he said after attending the party's political bureau meeting at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Last night, PKR was forced to retract its statement, minutes after it was issued to the press, which had confirmed that it had received an answer from the Palace regarding the MB appointment.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had decreed that each of the three Pakatan Rakyat parties submit more than two names.

PKR ally PAS had submitted three names, two from PKR and one from its own ranks.

It is learnt taht the candidates were Dr Wan Azizah, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and the Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad.

Saifuddin said today's meeting was centred on the latest developments surrounding the MB imbroglio, which had dragged on for more than a month.

He said among the scenarios discussed were on PAS's move to submit more than two names to the Palace as well as the next steps if Dr Wan Azizah was rejected by the state Ruler.

The bitter tussle between incumbent MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat culminated in his sacking by PKR.

Khalid then sacked five DAP and PKR exco members, while another resigned. He only retained four PAS exco members which enabled the state government to continue functioning.

However, on August 17, PAS decided to go along with the decision of DAP and PKR and supported the appointment of Dr Wan Azizah as the new MB.

Although Khalid tendered his resignation, the Sultan of Selangor has deferred his resignation until a new MB was appointed.

The Sultan gave PAS, DAP and PKR until yesterday to submit more than two names for the MB post.

- TMI