Selangor MB crisis: Sultan defers Khalid's resignation, wants more than two names

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has requested Pakatan Rakyat component parties to submit more than two names each for consideration for the post of mentri besar.

Speaking to reporters here Tuesday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (pic) said the Sultan had informed him as such during his audience with him at the Palace.

He also said that he had submitted his resignation letter but the Sultan had deferred acceptance of it until a suitable replacement could be named.

“To ensure political stability in Selangor, I have indicated my intention to resign to the Sultan. However, the Sultan has delayed the acceptance of my letter until the next mentri besar is named,” he said.

“This would ease the decision-making process for the Sultan in selecting whoever he deems most qualified. This selection process follows convention,” he added.

Khalid had met with the Sultan earlier Tuesday to seek advice about the next step forward in the mentri besar crisis.

PKR sacked Khalid on Aug 9 after he failed to show up at a disciplinary committee hearing over allegations directed at him.

PAS, which had initially supported Khalid as mentri besar, retracted its backing and instead, went along with its Pakatan Rakyat allies in proposing Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The party also nominated Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali as the second candidate for the mentri besar post.

Sultan Sharafuddin, who had left for an overseas trip on Aug 15, had requested that Khalid refrain from making any statements on his position until after the Ruler returned on Aug 27.

However, the Sultan cut short his trip and returned last Saturday.