Khalid declassifies official documents in Azmin sacking controversy
BY WANI MUTHIAH AND A. RUBAN
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KLANG: The controversy over the sacking of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali from the board of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has intensified, with the state government declassifying official documents pertaining to the issue.
In a media statement yesterday, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said he had instructed his private secretary to reveal all relevant documents that were discussed at the state executive council level, including letters sent between the MB’s office, PKNS and the state secretary.
The statement carried events from May last year to Jan 22, but nowhere was it mentioned that the state executive council had decided to axe or even discussed sacking Azmin.
“The documents are made available to clear the air and avoid speculation and confusion among the people,” he said, adding that it was also to allow an internal investigation into the matter to be carried out.
The events began with a letter sent by PKNS general manager Datuk Othman Omar on May 17 to the MB’s office seeking confirmation on the professional members to be appointed to the board.
Minutes of a council meeting on Nov 13 last year made no mention of Azmin’s name.
The state government only approved the appointments of Datuk Teng Chang Khim and Cempaka assemblyman Iskandar A. Samad.
The MB’s office also issued a briefing paper on Nov 12 that recommended a review of the position of both Azmin and former Selangor DAP chief Teresa Kok on the PKNS board but said Iskandar, who is a state executive councillor, could be retained as PKNS board member.
The three were appointed PKNS board members on Feb 11, 2013. Their tenure is due to end on Feb 10 next year.
The paper said Kok had moved to Kuala Lumpur as Seputih MP and her position could be reviewed. Azmin, the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman, had returned the “conveniences” he had received and thus, his position could also be reviewed.
(Azmin had returned a car provided by PKNS just before the May 5 general election last year.)
However, a letter to Azmin from Othman, dated Jan 8 this year, stated the term of the PKR deputy leader on the board had ended on Dec 4, purportedly in line with a council decision on Nov 13.
Azmin received a letter from PKNS on Dec 8 informing that he had been thrown out of the PKNS board.
This sparked speculation of a worsening rift between the two men, leading to the transfer of Othman and PKNS executive secretary Norita Mohd Sidek to the state secretary’s office on Jan 20.
