ANALYSIS After the infamous 'Kajang Move' failed to install Anwar Ibrahim as the next Selangor menteri besar, PKR insisted that his wife and party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail helms the state.
Agreeing to this, DAP also threw its weight behind Wan Azizah while the Pakatan Rakyat leadership endorsed it later.
But PAS, which initially backed Wan Azizah and her deputy Azmin Ali, had yesterday refused to ink statutory declarations pledging support for the PKR president.
Amid intense criticism, PAS denied it had made a "U-turn" and chose to term its decision as a "roundabout" instead.
But now, the Selangor sultan has added a royal twist to the protracted saga, which has threatened to rip apart the opposition bloc.
Though the ruler opted for a smooth transition of power instead of dissolving the assembly and holding a snap polls, his latest request indicated that the imbroglio is not over.
He instructed PKR, DAP and PAS to submit "two or more" names for the post and asked current Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim not to step down until a replacement is appointed.
This could be interpreted as a hint that the palace does not favour Wan Azizah as speculated before since the sultan is aware that Pakatan nominated only her name.
Therefore, it is now doubtful whether Wan Azizah would take over despite commanding majority support in the 56-member state assembly, with 30 representatives, including two from PAS, backing her.
Azmin, who is also the Selangor PKR chief, had in the past expressed undivided support for his president, but at the same time, revealed his vision on how the state should be governed.
Survey shows Azmin least popular
A recent survey by independent pollster Merdeka Center, however, found that Azmin is the least popular candidate for the post.
It also remains to be seen if he could muster the support of his fellow Pakatan assemblypersons as well.
Nevertheless, the sultan has given his prospects a boost.
And now, the focus is on whose names would be proposed by the three parties.
Late today, both PKR and DAP issued a joint statement and insisted on submitting only one name - Wan Azizah.
On the other hand, PAS may propose Wan Azizah and Azmin.
Alternatively, it could decide on not submitting any name and let the sultan decide in the wake of the party's decision yesterday after its central committee failed to reach a consensus on the matter.
When the Selangor crisis was at its peak, PAS had decided to back Khalid , a move which strained ties with its political allies.
And when its central committee resolved to endorse Wan Azizah, PAS’ traditional rival Umno castigated the Islamic party, accusing it of being beholden to Anwar and DAP.
On the same note, PAS made it clear that the party is not interested in the Selangor menteri besar's post despite having the highest number of elected reps among the Pakatan parties.
However, observers pointed out that given the current trend, perhaps PAS would make another “roundabout” decision with the consent of the ruler.
And should the palace reject Wan Azizah, would the crisis end there?
PKR, DAP insist on nominating only Azizah for MB
Selangor crisis today
11.50am: Fearing snap polls, DAP reveals that it discussed the possibility of a Pakatan break up in an emergency meeting last night
2.39pm: Selangor sultan has an audience with Khalid
3.33pm: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s office denies that he had offered PKR deputy president Azmin Ali the MB post if Azmin backs a PAS-Umno unity government.
4.42pm: Palace accepts Khalid resignation as MB, pending appointment of a replacement. The ruler also asks for more than two MB nominees each from each Pakatan party.
5.57pm: Selangor PAS says sultan’s decree for multiple candidates in in line with Abdul Hadi’s view.
10.29pm: PKR and DAP say they will only submit Wan Azizah’s name as in 2013, the palace sought four names and was given only one.
