Selangor MB crisis: Khalid is still legitimate MB, says state legal adviser

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is still the legitimate Selangor Mentri Besar until deemed otherwise by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, said the Selangor State Secretariat.

“Khalid is still the legitimate Mentri Besar and he has the right to carry out all his duties as Mentri Besar,” said state legal adviser Datuk Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman in a statement on Thursday.

The Secretariat added that it had issued the clarification following a statement on Thursday by Klang MP Charles Santiago concerning the validity of the water restructuring deal to be signed between the Selangor government and Putrajaya.

In the press release, Santiago had said Khalid’s signing of the water restructuring deal before the end of the week was illegal as Khalid had lost the support of the majority of the State Assembly.

Responding to this, Nik Suhaimi said: “According to the Selangor State Constitution, as long as the Selangor Sultan has appointed Khalid as Mentri Besar and the appointment is done in accordance with the provisions in the State Constitution, Khalid still has the power to carry out his duties, functions and responsibilities as the Mentri Besar.

He added that the question of legitimacy of any matter, including the capacity to sign water restructuring deals with the Federal Government does not arise “as they still fall within the executive powers of the Mentri Besar”.

“This matter is clearly understood by the Federal Government and because of that, the negotiations and discussions related to the water restructuring agreement are still being carried out according to plan,” said Nik Suhaimi.

He added that according to the Selangor State Constitution, the Sultan had absolute discretion in the appointment of a Mentri Besar and that the Sultan’s decision to postpone Khalid’s resignation  until a new Mentri Besar was appointed was to ensure the smooth and organised administration of the state.

“Statements that are inaccurate and confusing, if believed, can create worry and confusion amongst the rakyat. The powers of the Sultan under the Selangor State Constitution have to be respected so that the peace in Selangor can be upheld,” said Nik Suhaimi.