Sarawak PKR chief says it too, Azmin’s appointment flawed

The appointment of Mohamed Azmin Ali as the 15th Menteri Besar of Selangor “appears not to have been in accordance with the legal provisions”, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian (pic) said today, echoing the view of constitutional lawyer Tommy Thomas.

Thomas, who spoke at the International Malaysia Law Conference in Kuala Lumpur had said that the appointment was flawed as it went through a selection process.

Baru said though he noted “there has been some give and take from all parties involved” to break the impasse in the state's menteri besar crisis, he hoped that it would not create a precedent in future.

“This practice is not what we were taught in law school,” Baru, a senior lawyer in the state said of Azmin's appointment.

“PKR Sarawak is happy that the MB crisis has been resolved with the appointment... (but we) are taught that the Sultan will appoint the MB upon the recommendation of the state legislative assembly as to the person who has the majority support”.

“In this instance, majority support was for the PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“However, the palace is confident that Azmin will have the support of the majority of the state assembly.”

Baru, in a press conference in Kuching today, also noted “the significance of the understanding from PKR leaders, particularly the gracious withdrawal of our president of her candidacy to allow Azmin Ali to accept the appointment”.

“We are confident that the new Menteri Besar of Selangor will be a menteri besar for all, irrespective of political affiliation, and that his administration will be accountable, transparent and caring.

“It is our hope that Selangor will be a model Pakatan Rakyat state, being the richest state in Malaysia, and that the new MB will practise good management of the state’s reserves and spend the reserves prudently for the benefit of the people of Selangor.” he said.

- TMI