Despite disagreements over the Selangor state secretary’s appointment, the palace has sent out invitations for the swearing-in ceremony for the post, which will take place before Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah next Thursday.

The sultan’s private secretary, Mohamad Munir Bani, said invitations had been sent out by the protocol division and that the outgoing State Islamic Department director, Mohd Khusrin Munawi, is scheduled to take his oath of office.

“There are no other candidates and besides that, the new State Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director (Marzuki Hussin) replacing Khusrin will also take his oath,” he told Malaysiakini .

He said there were several programmes arranged for the Sultan that day, and the swearing-in ceremony was one of them.

NONE Although Khusrin's appointment is imminent, the Selangor menteri besar’s political secretary, Faekah Hussin ( left ), said the MB, Khalid Ibrahim, believes the palace had not been given a clear picture on the matter.

“There is some political involvement (by the federal government) in the matter.

“Selangor Pakatan, however, is still working to get an audience with the palace to resolve the issue amicably and in a professional manner,” she said.

She hopes the people would stay calm in order to secure the dignity of the palace, the state government and the House (state assembly).

The debacle facing the appointment of the state secretary entered its fourth day today, following  chief secretary to the government Mohd Sidek Hassan announcement on Monday of Khusrin’s appointment.

Khalid has disputed the announcement saying that Khusrin’s appoint was not final , as the state had already shortlisted its own candidates.

The names did not include Khusrin's, who Malaysiakini reported came in last in interviews conducted by a panel comprising three Pakatan Rakyat state exco members.

It was reported that state economic planning unit director Noordin Sulaiman topped the list, followed by Petaling Jaya mayor Roslan Sakiman and Subang Jaya Municipal Council president Mohammad Adnan Md Ikshan.

State sec will not attend first exco meeting

Meanwhile, a source in the menteri besar’s office said the incoming state secretary, whomever it should be, will be missing out on the first exco meeting for the new year slated to be held on Wednesday.

NONE This is because the appointee will only take his oath of office before the sultan earliest on Thursday.

The source said the menteri besar ( left ) was also unlikely to have any oath-taking ceremony for the new state secretary before Jan 6.

Reports suggest that the state secretary must take his oath before the menteri besar, rather than the sultan.

In the absence of the new state secretary, one of the two deputy state secretaries will assume the duties during the weekly state exco meetings.

Khalid is holding a special prayer ( solat hajat ) session at the menteri besar’s official residence this evening that will address the issue.