PKR insisted today that its president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is the one and only candidate to replace Selangor Menteri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and that there is no other alternative.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said this in response to reports that party deputy president Azmin Ali or Ijok assemblyperson Idris Ahmad may be a compromise candidate to replace Khalid.

“Azmin Ali was at the political bureau meeting last night and he, too, agreed with the party’s decision to nominate Wan Azizah as the only candidate (to become menteri besar).

“We stress that we maintained the decision made at the central leadership council meeting,” Saifuddin ( right ) told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Yesterday, media reports emerged that PKR may propose alternative candidates to placate unease among its Pakatan Rakyat allies, particularly PAS, as well as certain quarters within PKR over Wan Azizah’s nomination.

Saifuddin stressed that the nomination for the post of menteri besar in Selangor lies with PKR.

“In the consensus achieved in the leadership meeting in Pakatan Rakyat before this, PAS and DAP have agreed that the nomination of the menteri besar (in Selangor) is PKR’s right,” he said.

Saifuddin conceded that the ongoing tug-of-war, with Khalid refusing to step down as Selangor menteri besar, has affected Pakatan's support in the state.

'We'll win back people's support'

However, he expressed confidence that if Wan Azizah could become the menteri besar, she would be able to get back the people's support and prevent Selangor from falling into Umno's hands in the next general election.

"We admit this crisis has an impact on us, but we are also confident we can get back the rakyat's support.

"It doesn't mean that just because of this (crisis), the people will automatically switch their support to Umno," Saifuddin said.

He was responding to warnings that Pakatan may lose control of Selangor in the next general election if the crisis is prolonged.

Saifuddin therefore urged Khalid to comply with the party's decision and step down amicably.

"We need to resolve this quickly, which is why we are asking Khalid to respect the party's decision.

"We pray every morning, evening and night that this matter can be resolved quickly," he added.

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