‘MB crisis’ averted in Selangor

IT is near impossible to keep secrets in politics but Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s attempt to resign as Selangor Mentri Besar last month was quite a well-kept secret known only among his closed circle.

Amirudin had sought a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to inform him of his intention to resign.

It was unclear whether the Prime Minister was shocked or upset but Anwar shot down the idea and told Amirudin to stay put and get on with the job.

A highly-placed Selangor insider said Anwar told the Mentri Besar: “You think you have big problems? I have even bigger problems.”

Anwar was resolute and did not hesitate in quashing the resignation attempt.

Had the resignation gone through, Amirudin would have announced stepping down the next day, at the final day of what has arguably been the most vitriolic state legislative assembly sitting anyone could remember.

Instead, Amirudin, visibly tense but composed, wound-up the assembly sitting by touching on economic initiatives, flood mitigation updates and education-related measures.

Amirudin’s second term as Mentri Besar has been difficult especially in fulfilling promises made to the people as well as brushing off rumours that he would be replaced mid-term by rising star Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who is known as the man with a “yellow umbrella,” a metaphor for his royal blood.

Speculation about Tengku Zafrul is swirling again as the Mentri Besar-in-waiting.

The former Umno politician must be born under a lucky star. He served under three prime ministers and was appointed senior political advisor to Anwar after his senatorship expired last year.

The problem is he cannot seem to win an election. He is now eyeing the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat, which could be his ticket to the Mentri Besar’s office.

Initially slated for the Ampang parliament seat, Tengku Zafrul has apparently been shuttled to Pandan to take on Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

The reason for the seat change is unclear but those in PKR who resent the red carpet treatment accorded to Tengku Zafrul are salivating in anticipation of a mother of all battles between him and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

The Mentri Besar post carries a lot of power and clout given the state’s leading powerhouse reputation.

Amirudin has been under tremendous pressure after the royal ban on pig farming and the uproar over Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki’s attempt to defend modern pig-farming technology has yet to die down.

The opposition bench went to town to defend the “titah Tuanku” on the ban and the DAP YB was almost crucified while not a squeak came from her DAP bosses in Selangor.

Pig farming is one of the most environmentally damaging activities but since the ban, it is not uncommon to hear the Chinese tell DAP leaders: We elected you to defend our rights and now we have to import pork.

All this weighed heavily on Amirudin who had come in pledging to be the Mentri Besar of all Selangoreans.

The Selangor Ruler’s royal address lauding the role of the state opposition when he officiated at the opening of the state assembly also rattled the state Pakatan Harapan leaders.

The speech obviously did not follow the draft script from the state government because which ruling coalition would praise the opposition?

It is also an open secret that Amirudin has not had an audience with the Sultan for almost four months and it was only this week that he was granted an audience, alongside Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar.

Amiruddin followed up the meeting with a statement calling for all to respect the Ruler’s decree to respect the Rukun Negara and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to His Royal Highness’ Aidiladha’s message on Malay unity, peace and stability.

The relationship between the Sultan and Mentri Besar needs to be harmonious if the state administration is to function smoothly.

This is easier said than done and even Umno, defender of the institution of the Malay Rulers, had its share of problems.

A potential crisis that would have had repercussions beyond Selangor has been averted but another potential bombshell lies ahead for Pakatan.

The Pardons Board is expected to meet in June and, again, anticipation is high that Datuk Seri Najib Razak may be granted house arrest.

DAP ministers are prepared for any eventuality.

One DAP minister had told his political team to try to wrap up urgent tasks as soon as possible because “we might be out of the Cabinet soon”.

Many of them interpreted the instruction to be in connection with the DAP congress in July when party delegates will decide whether its leaders should continue to be in the government.

“They may not even have to wait until July to decide if Najib is pardoned. The Madani government will not collapse, they will still support Anwar but they will not be in the Cabinet,” said a Pakatan source.

The Umno family will be over the moon if it happens but for Pakatan leaders, it is like an approaching tsunami that spells disaster.

> The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own