PETALING JAYA: While the Selangor Menteri Besar has the prerogative to threaten PAS to leave the state government, it is still a matter for the Sultan to decide, says the Islamist party’s president.
According to a Malay Mail Online report that quoted Sinar Harian, Hadi said this when commenting on the rumour that Azmin Ali of PKR had told PAS executive councillors they would have to resign from the Selangor Government if their party insisted on contesting in the Sungai Besar by-election come June 18.
“The appointments of excos must have the consent of the Sultan and must go through the swearing-in process.
“So we are prepared for any eventuality, but let’s see what the Sultan has to say,” Hadi said, adding that he was not sure at this point if the ultimatum was true or merely a rumour.
Hadi also reminded the Selangor Government that the tussle over the Sungai Besar seat was an internal matter between PAS and PKR while the executive councillor posts were official state business and therefore should stay separate issues.
A few days ago, The Star ran a report citing sources, that Azmin had issued the ultimatum to PAS, as PKR wanted the Sungai Besar seat for themselves.
PKR had allegedly argued that they had a greater appeal to the Malay and Chinese electorate there and would fare better against the Barisan Nasional in a straight fight compared to PAS.
PAS however said the seat had been traditionally theirs and plan to go ahead to contest the Sungai Besar as well as Kuala Kangsar seats that became vacant when their MPs perished in a helicopter crash earlier this month.
Meanwhile several PKR leaders have denied any such ultimatum was issued by their deputy president to PAS excos.