SHAH ALAM: The Sultan had no grounds to meet Dr Wan Azizah as Khalid still commands the support of the majority of state assembly.THE sultan of Selangor has turned down a request by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for an audience with his wife Datuk Seri
Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to explain the Selangor menteri besar crisis.
In a decree issued yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani confirmed that His Royal Highness received a letter, written by Anwar, requesting an audience on Aug 10.
The letter, written on behalf of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah, stated that the main reason for the request was for PKR to explain their current conflict and the reasons behind the move to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim with Dr Wan Azizah as menteri besar.
“The sultan rejected the request and decreed for Anwar to be informed of his decision on Monday.
“The sultan also said that he had no grounds to meet Dr Wan Azizah over the issue as Khalid had met him earlier on the same day.”
Munir said the sultan preferred to take a neutral stand in the conflict and would not choose to support any side as he regarded it as PKR’s internal issue.
He said the sultan felt that Khalid’s expulsion from PKR did not affect his position as menteri besar and state assemblyman.
Sultan Sharafuddin had on Monday consented to Khalid continuing to helm Selangor after
being informed that the menteri besar commanded the support of the majority of state assemblymen.
Munir said the sultan had clarified that his decision on Khalid’s position was made by His Royal Highness alone and not during the Selangor Royal Assembly Council meeting as reported by some media.
“It is a routinely scheduled council meeting and the sultan did not discuss matters pertaining to politics and the replacement of the menteri besar.
“However, the sultan informed the council members of his endorsement of Khalid to remain as menteri besar as he was able to guarantee that he held the majority support in the state assembly.
“Before the council meeting, Khalid met Sultan Sharafuddin to inform His Royal Highness of his termination from PKR and issues pertaining to the state’s long-drawn political turmoil.
“The sultan made his decision and informed members of the council about it only after that,” said Munir.
Pas Selangor commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad yesterday said the party accepted the sultan’s decision on Khalid’s position, adding that all four Pas executive council members would continue to work with the menteri besar.
On whether the four could run the state without DAP and PKR, Iskandar, who is the Housing, Building Management and Urban Settlers executive councillor
said they had no choice but to do so.
“We have to continue to work. Whether it is possible or not, we must work to ensure that people get the best services.”
