Changing MB is ‘normal’ says PAS leader
Changing a menteri besar while he is still serving his term is normal, PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar said today, amid mounting calls within Selangor Pakatan Rakyat for Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's removal.
"If Khalid is to be replaced, it has to be done through consensus. I do not know if it will happen, but it is normal," Mahfuz (pic) told a press conference at PAS's headquarters today.
He said PAS was still discussing Khalid's removal, but at this point no name within PAS had been brought forward as a potential menteri besar candidate.
"How can you suggest a name when we have not even proposed anyone?" Mahfuz said, when a reporter asked him to confirm that Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad was eyeing the top position.
"I believe if we want to decide on this, we have to hold a meeting. But changing menteri besar is normal, even Terengganu changed its menteri besar," he added.
Mahfuz also denied that the opposition in Selangor, Barisan Nasional (BN), had made overtures to PAS throughout the political turmoil.
"We will defend Pakatan Rakyat's coalition in Selangor. There will not be any new coalition, and there have been no overtures from Selangor BN," he said.
When asked about the outcome of last Sunday's meeting between the PAS central leadership and the state branch on Khalid's position, Mahfuz said he was not present.
PAS is said to be the only stumbling block for Khalid's removal, while several DAP and PKR Selangor leaders have already urged the Selangor menteri besar to step down.
Many are unhappy with the state's management of its water resources, the Kidex highway and the seizure of Malay and Iban-language Bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department.
Khalid's stewardship of Selangor came to a head three days ago when rumours of his purported resignation began circulating through text messages late Sunday night.
But Khalid has dismissed the rumours and maintains he will not resign, despite his loss in the PKR Kuala Selangor division chief polls as well as the Kajang Move his party had initiated to have him replaced with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PKR de facto leader had previously said Khalid's fate would be decided by the opposition party’s top leadership through a consensus. – July 9, 2014.
