Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah handing over the appointment letter to Amirudin Shari at Istana Alam Shah in Klang.
PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Palace says there was a second letter from PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, recommending three names for the Mentri Besar post, which Ijok assemblyman Dr Idris Ahmad had earlier disputed.
The palace also refuted Dr Idris’ claims that he was Pakatan Harapan’s chosen candidate for the post.
In a statement to address the questions surrounding the appointment of new Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari, the palace said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had followed all legal provisions and conventions in the selection process.
“On June 7, the Sultan received a letter from Dr Wan Azizah, in which three state assemblymen were nominated for consideration for the post.
“The letter indirectly cancelled out a previous letter written by the heads of Selangor political parties to the Sultan,” said the statement.
The palace added that after a thorough review and obtaining the opinion of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, His Highness chose Amirudin Shari, the Sungai Tua assemblyman as Azmin’s successor.
It added that the Ruler had discretionary powers in the appointment of a Mentri Besar, as provided in Articles 51 and 53 of the Selangor State Constitution 1959.
“For the record, the Sultan is cognizant of the provisions under the law, where he must appoint as Mentri Besar a state assemblyman who he believes has the majority support in the state assembly, as well as being of Malay Muslim descent,” the statement read.
The palace also addressed Dr Idris’ claim that Azmin’s reappointment as Mentri Besar on May 11 this year, before he took up a Cabinet position, was not approved by Pakatan.
“Before Azmin was appointed, the party presidents of PKR, Amanah and Pribumi, as well as the DAP secretary-general, had sent a letter to the Sultan to nominate Azmin as Mentri Besar.
“The nomination was done based on the fact that Azmin had been the previous mentri besar and had discharged his duties with dedication, as well as driven Pakatan to win more seats compared to the previous election.
“The palace always abides by the rule of law and convention in any action, and does not involve itself in political issues.”
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/21/second-letter-had-three-names-palace-sultan-followed-the-rules-after-receiving-nominations-from-pkr/#vYZJDbr50xd5ctqB.99
