PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has finally received unanimous endorsement from his party to become the new Selangor menteri besar, upon receiving an appointment letter from the palace.

In a statement late today, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also said that she is withdrawing her candidacy for the post.

"I have proposed to the central leadership council (MPP) that Azmin be proposed as MB.

"The MPP has met today and unanimously support the proposal," she said.

Although supporting the sultan's decision to appoint Azmin, Wan Azizah nevertheless stressed that the appointment is unconstitutional.

"Even though the appointment process does not adhere to the Selangor constitution, I believe that the focus should now be returned to efforts to care for the people of Selangor," she said.

Dr Wan Azizah also thanked the 29 Selangor assemblypersons who had previously pledged support for her candidacy. PKR has 13 assemblypersons, DAP 15 and PAS 15.

DAP later said that all 15 of its Selangor assemblypersons have been instructed to support Azmin's appointment.

The party also respects Wan Azizah's decision to withdraw her candidacy.

Previously, all DAP and PKR reps, plus two PAS assemblypersons supported Wan Azizah as MB.

'Long live Azmin'

Clad in white and appearing calm, Azmin walked out of the building to chants of "Hidup Azmin" (Long live Azmin) from his supporters.

Speaking to reporters, he expressed gratitude to the palace for selecting him for the job.

When asked if he knew why the palace had rejected Wan Azizah, Azmin merely said: "No reason was given."

The appointment letter was received this evening and the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyperson confirmed that he will be sworn-in tomorrow morning.

Selangor sultan's private secretary Mohamad Munir Bani earlier confirmed to Malaysiakini that the appointment letter had been sent out.

The news was met with congratulations from PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali.

"May Pakatan Rakyat continue to remain strong," he said in a  Facebook post.

Selangor PAS in a statement also offered their well wishes to Azmin and hoped this would close the chapter on the Selangor crisis.

Khalid's final decision

Separately, in what appears to be a parting blow, outgoing Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has closed down Anwar's office as the state economic advisor.

According to Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) chief executive officer Faekah Husin, the decision was made by the state executive council at its last meeting chaired by Khalid today to "reduce administration costs".

Faekah, who is Khalid's former political secretary, said Anwar's role as Selangor economic advisor also invited "slander" against the state.

"The state believes that all economic matters can be done through the Selangor State Investment Centre, which acts as a one-stop centre, equipped with officers experienced in administration, procedures and promotions," she said in a statement.

She nonetheless thanked Anwar for his contributions.

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