Four Selangor Bersatu reps voice support for Pakatan state govt

Selangor Bersatu assemblymen (from left to right) Mohd Shaid Rosli (Jeram), Sallehuddin Amiruddin (Kuang) and Harumaini Omar (Batang Kali) at the press conference to support Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya. -Mohd Sahar Misni/The Star

PUTRAJAYA: In a twist of events, four Selangor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia assemblymen have voiced their support for the Pakatan Harapan state government.

The four assemblymen – from Jeram, Kuang, Batang Kali and Dengkil – said this was their stand after meeting with party chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday (March 5).

"We will discuss this directly with the Mentri Besar tomorrow (March 6) on how we can continue to merge with Pakatan," said Kuang assemblyman Sallehudin Aminuddin to reporters.

Sallehudin, together with Mohd Shaid Rosli (Jeram), Harumaini Omar (Batang Kali) and Adhif Shan Abdullah (Dengkil) met Dr Mahathir for an hour-long discussion at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here.

Bersatu has five elected representatives in Selangor. The fifth, Selat Klang assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, was not present at the meeting.

It was also reported that Datuk Seri Azmin Ali had joined Bersatu.

Sallehuddin said they supported the Pakatan government though Bersatu was no longer part of the state government.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had earlier announced that Bersatu leaders and members were no longer part of the state administration – this included the exco, local authorities and village chiefs.

On whether Selangor Bersatu would continue to support the Pakatan state government, Mohd Shaid said this was not an issue among the four of them as they do not hold any posts.

"It is up to the state leadership to evaluate our cooperation and loyalty," he said.

Harumaini said they support the state government because they appreciate the mandate given by the people of Selangor.

"They supported us because we were partners in Pakatan. It is our responsibility to continue to serve the people," he said.

They also said they were not aware of Abdul Rashid's (the fifth Bersatu assemblyman) stand.

"When all this happened, we were not contacted or called for discussion.

"So we decided to meet with Tun (Dr Mahathir) to discuss the matter with him and state our stand," said Salehuddin.

Abdul Rashid is the state exco member in charge of tourism.