PAS Youth today submitted a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, urging that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud be cleared of allegations of graft and abuse of power before being appointed as the state's governor.

PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat, who led the delegation, said the memorandum was received by the palace's chief administrative assistant Zainul Din Mohd Nor.

Nine of the memorandum's 12 pages were used to lay out the allegations against Taib, citing the reports in the media and by various NGOs extensively.

"Based on the appendix, I ask Your Majesty to consider not appointing Abdul Taib Mahmud as the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak until he is cleared of the graft and abuse of power allegations we laid out," read the memorandum signed by PAS Youth Anak Sarawak committee chairperson Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus.

Taib had announced that he would step down from his post on Feb 28, ending his 33-year reign as chief minister, which has been plagued with corruption allegations. He has consistently denied them.

The term of the incumbent governor Abang Muhammad Salahuddin, will also expire on the same day, and Taib's party, PBB, has proposed that he should be appointed the new governor.

To a question, Ahmad Kerdee told Malaysiakini that the Sarawak state constitution only obliges the Agong to consult the chief minister on the appointment of the governor, but is not bound to any advice and has full discretion in the appointment.

"The king does not necessarily have to follow what was discussed, because the wording in the Sarawak constitution is broad enough.

"The word is 'consultation' but if you look at other state constitutions, the wording is 'on advice' which usually means it will be followed," he said after handing the memorandum.

Also present was Sarawak PAS Youth chief Mohammad Arifiriazul Paijo, who urged government agencies including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney-General's Chambers to give cooperation in probing Taib.