Hadi’s support for Khalid is his view, not the party’s, says Mat Sabu
Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's support for embattled Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is his view and not the party’s official stand, says PAS’s deputy president.
Mohamad Sabu, or Mat Sabu, told The Malaysian Insider today that PAS will only make an official stand on Khalid's position as Selangor menteri besar after the Hari Raya celebrations.
"A meeting is scheduled to be held on August 10 to discuss Khalid's position and we will see what happens after that.
"Let us wait and see what the outcome of the meeting on August 10 is. The meeting may be brought forward or held after the Hari Raya festivities."
His comments come as the party’s Dewan Ulama today urged members to toe the line and support Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's decision to endorse Khalid to remain as Selangor menteri besar.
The wing’s chief, Datuk Ahmad Yakob, said although the decision might differ from PKR and DAP, PAS members must appreciate and trust its president's wisdom on the matter.
He said there was also no reason to oust Khalid at the moment.
"PAS members should appreciate the president's wisdom on this. After all, he has a say when it comes to issues that require swift decision."
Hadi yesterday backed Khalid to keep his post in Malaysia's wealthiest state.
However, PKR criticised him for supporting Khalid and objecting to Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail be named as the new Selangor Menteri Besar.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said all three parties in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition had to respect the decision by its leadership council.
"The PR leadership council, which brought the mandate from their respective parties, had decided that day to give their commitment on principle that the post would be from PKR.
"Therefore, PKR will hold on to the official decision made at the leadership council meeting in the issue of changing the Selangor MB.
"This method and principle has been used all this while in determining the state chief for other PR-led states like Penang, Kedah and Kelantan."
The PR council meeting on Wednesday was attended by six members from the PAS central leadership, namely Mat Sabu, secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali, vice-presidents Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Datuk Husam Musa, youth chief Suhaizan Kayat and central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli.
Saifuddin said PKR had accorded the same respect to PAS when deciding on the Kedah menteri besar's position, although there were requests within the coalition for PKR to take up the post.
Hadi is the first Pakatan Rakyat leader to openly stick by Khalid's side although all three parties in the pact agreed on Wednesday that Selangor needs a new menteri besar.
"Insya-Allah, that is my opinion and I hope the entire PAS leadership will agree with this decision although there are differing views.
"I have heard all the opinions, collected it all before I finally found that the PAS grassroots agree that Khalid remains because he has fulfilled the trust," he said.
Khalid has been facing mounting pressure from PR leadership to resign over his handling of Selangor affairs.
This included 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.
The PKR supreme council on Monday endorsed Dr Wan Azizah as the new Selangor menteri besar, completing the "Kajang move" to replace Khalid.
A defiant Khalid has repeatedly said that he wants to complete his second term in office.
He also dared Selangor assemblypersons to table a no-confidence vote in the state legislative assembly against his leadership as menteri besar. – July 26, 2014.