Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad threw his full backing behind Azmin Ali as the new Selangor menteri besar, expressing his wish that the majority in the Selangor state assembly support Azmin, and avoid any vote of no-confidence.

 

Speaking to reporters briefly after unveiling a new Proton car, the Iriz Active at the Proton's Centre of Excellence in Shah Alam today, Mahathir said that a vote of no-confidence should be avoided.

 

"I hope when the state assembly sits, the majority will support Azmin (right) .

"If they don't, there will be a vote of no-confidence and then Selangor will have to find a new MB," he said.

 

There had been murmurs that Azmin, despite being appointed by Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah although not initially nominated by his party PKR, could face a no-confidence vote when the state assembly convenes in November.

 

Meanwhile, Mahathir also refused to read too much into Azmin's decision to reduce PAS' exco allocation from four exco posts to three.

 

"That is the MB's right, whether he want to increase or decrease. He can do what he feels is appropriate. It is not necessary for him to keep four excos just because the previous administration did so," he said.

 

On a separate note, Mahathir said that he had not read Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's speech at the United Nations general assembly recently, but did agree with the premier that the Islamic State (IS) militants must be rejected.

 

"About IS, I agree. There is no doubt we are against IS. We have to get rid of them, they are un-Islamic," he said.

Related stories

Nik Aziz's son calls DAP and PKR bullies

Selangor PAS duo gets heroes' welcome by DAP

Saari, Hasnul to face PAS discipline tomorrow

Anwar: MB to expose those getting millions

Kit Siang warns BN may retake Kelantan

Youth chief insists PAS not exiting Pakatan

Ex-MB hits back at critics of water deal

Selangor MB crisis is also an opportunity