MB Issue: Anwar proposes Wan Azizah and Dr. Idris Ahmad, source
Wan Syamsul Amly
August 7, 2014 07:52 MYT
August 7, 2014 07:52 MYT
All Selangor state assemblymen (ADUN) were told to ‘report for duty’ at PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s office at Tropicana in Petaling Jaya in Selangor at 10am Friday.
According to sources within the party, the ADUNs will be asked to sign a Statutory Declaration Form to declare their support towards PKR’s president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in her continuous bid to become the Menteri Besar of Selangor.
The source also revealed that all ADUNs will be be asked to sign another similar form to support Ijok state assemblyman Dr. Idris Ahmad, who has been recently enlisted by Anwar as a candidate for the post.
The disclosure, according to the source, came about when a PKR Selangor parliament member 'accidentally’ forwarded the email from a staff at Anwar’s office.
“At the same time, Selangor PKR leadership council secretary sent out a short messaging system (SMS) to all ADUNs urging them to ignore the email and wait for an 'authentic' one instead.
“However, in the email forwarded, Anwar’s officer stated that the email is the 'true' and 'final' copy, adding that a letter for Dr. Idris will follow,” the source told Astro AWANI Thursday.
The source added that the ‘alternative candidate’ goes against Anwar’s earlier statement that there will only be one candidate -- Wan Azizah -- for the MB post.
Dr.Idris is viewed as a backup candidate -- a measure to seek compromise with PAS. The party had earlier voiced objection towards Wan Azizah.
On Thursday, Selangor PKR communication chief Shuhaimi Shafie was quoted as saying that, Selangor MPN press conference organised by the party’s Ampang branch chief, Zuraida Kamaruddin was invalid and it is wrongful for it to be accepted as MPN Selangor’s official decision.
Apart from Wan Azizah, said Shuhaimi Bukit Antarabangsa MP Azmin Ali’s name should also be considered as a candidate.
Shuhaimi reiterated that the decision to enlist two candidates’ names were agreed upon by all in the party, except that the media statement stating Wan Azizah and Azmin’s names had been nothing but merely an official MPN statement.
“Anwar’s previous statement was also defended by PKR Secretary General Datuk Saifuddin Nasution who said that only one candidate was proposed. No discussions on alternative candidates were made,” the source said.
Earlier, a web portal reported that Dr.Idris is agreeable to take on the MB post -- with Anwar’s consent.