In the lead up to the June 19 swearing-in ceremony of the new Selangor menteri besar, the name of Dr Idris Ahmad has emerged as the frontrunner tipped to take on the mantle.

The two-term Ijok assemblyperson is believed to have obtained the endorsement of state Harapan component parties Bersatu, DAP and Amanah.

If appointed, Idris, 70, would replace Azmin Ali, who will be relinquishing the post after accepting a federal post as economic affairs minister.

As for PKR, the party headquarters has issued a letter of endorsement to the palace for consideration by Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

According to a source close to Harapan, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also endorsed Idris in her capacity as Harapan president.

Malaysiakini is told that Idris was the top pick of the coalition as he is deemed the best candidate to fill Azmin's shoes.

"His record as assemblyperson over the past two terms, as well as his experience in the corporate sector, are the main criteria deemed necessary for the Selangor people," the source said.

The source, who declined to be named, admitted that several other names had also been proposed by a party within PKR for consideration by the ruler.

Among them - Sungai Tua assemblyperson Amirudin Shari and Seri Setia assemblyperson and academician Shaharuddin Badaruddin.

Grassroots support

"What is happening now is that Idris's name is not made prominent, instead another assemblyperson's name is made to seem as the next menteri besar, to create a certain perception," the source said.

Idris is also said to have a lot of support from the coalition grassroots.

"We believe that if Selangor wants a menteri besar who is efficient, honest and clean, Idris is the man.

"His role would also be fully supported by Harapan component parties in the state," the source said.

Idris was an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist in Kuala Lumpur. He was actively involved in the 1998 Reformasi movement and ran for office in the 2013 general election where he was elected into the Ijok state seat.

Although he is currently the Federal Territories PKR chief, he hails from Selangor.

The official announcement on the new state menteri besar is to be made after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations next week.

The Selangor palace has also stated that the new MB would be sworn in on June 19 at the Balairung Seni at the Istana Shah Alam in Klang.