'MB appointment smears sanctity of monarchy'

Despite supporting PKR deputy president Azmin Ali’s appointment as Selangor menteri besar, PKR’s central leadership committee (MPP) says the process leaves much to be desired. 

 

In a strongly-worded statement late last night, while it supports the appointment for the rakyat’s sake, the selection process was unconstitutional and “should not be a precedent”.

 

“The MPP regrets the palace’s treatment of the candidacy of (PKR president) Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who had support of 30 assemblypersons.

 

“The MPP also disagrees with the way the palace had handled Wan Azizah’s nominations, to the extent that she was not called for an audience despite the clear majority support. 

 

“As such, we believe that the MB appointment process breaches the Selangor constitution and parliamentary democracy, as well as the sanctity of the constitutional monarchy,” the MPP said.

 

The MPP, Wan Azizah, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin met for a two-hour long meeting at PKR yesterday, after the palace issued an appointment letter to Azmin. 

 

Although stressing that the move was unconstitutional, Wan Azizah said she withdrew her candidacy and proposed Azmin so as to not prolong the MB crisis. 

 

Azmin replaces Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who was sacked by PKR for refusing to resign as MB.