While many DAP leaders have fully supported PKR's plan to appoint Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to replace Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar, there are still some voices within the party that say otherwise.

 

A report by Malay daily Berita Harian today said DAP vice-chairperson Ariffin Omar, who is a senator from Penang, described the move as something that "does not make sense".

 

Ariffin said that the interests of the people should be taken into account in appointing anybody to fill a position such as menteri besar.

 

However, when contacted by Malaysiakini today, Ariffin explained that his views were aired in his personal capacity and not in his capacity as a DAP vice-chairperson.

 

He said he would still support the move if DAP as a whole agrees to Wan Azizah's ( left ) appointment.

 

"I did not make any comments in my capacity as DAP vice-chairperson," Ariffin said.

 

"No matter what my opinion is, if my party supports the change of MB, I will be with my party," he added.

 

Against Kajang move

In the Berita Harian report, Ariffin was also quoted as saying that he did not agree with the "Kajang Move".

 

"This is not about politics, this is about the interests of the people of Selangor that must be taken into account," he said.

 

"Even if you look at from a political perspective, it does not make sense," he added.

 

The Kajang Move was eventually aborted after the the initial Selangor menter besar-designate of the PKR, its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, was disqualified from contesting after to being found guilty on a charge of sodomy.

Wan Azizah subsequently stood for the Kajang state seat and won the election.

PKR then waited several months before announcing that it had zeroed in on Wan Azizah as the next menteri besar, following mounting dissatisfaction against Khalid's administration from PKR and from DAP as well.

 

However, the other Pakatan component party, PAS, has so far backed Khalid to stay in his post, but it has not made a final decision as to whether it will endorse PKR's choice of Wan Azizah.