Is MB's seat slipping further from Wan Azizah's grasp?

Political analysts see the post of menteri besar (MB) slipping further from Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's grasp when the Sultan of Selangor ordered Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to submit more names as candidates for the post.

In this regard, PR must read the development as an implied signal on the post, the issue of which has been heating up the nation's political landscape, particularly in Selangor.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's (UTM) geostrategist, Dr Azmi Hassan said following the Sultan's command, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) must review its original plan of wanting Dr Wan Azizah to be the chief executive of the richest state in the country.

He said if PKR refused to budge from its original plan, there was a possibility it would have to face a more bitter challenge, namely, the dissolution of the state assembly to make way for a state election.

The Sultan of Selangor today ordered PAS, PKR and DAP to each submit more than two names as candidates for the post of MB to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

"Based on the royal command, we may see plan B from PR. If they are adamant in wanting the original candidate (Dr Wan Azizah), the Sultan may order a state election. And is it worthwhile for them to take the risk in light of the people being fed-up of the prolonged crisis?" he told Bernama, here, today.

Azmi also did not rule out the possibility of the new MB coming from PAS, in view of the party now having to name more than two candidates, despite having a gentlemen's agreement with PR, for the number one seat in the state be given to PKR.

Asked if the appointment of an MB from PAS would fracture the PAS-PK relationship which was becoming increasingly fragile due to the crisis over the MB's seat, Azmi said PKR should act in a mature and open-hearted manner in accepting the Sultan's command.

"PAS is not going against the gentlemen's agreement because it was the Sultan's command for each party to name more than two candidates and there is nothing wrong if a menteri besar is appointed from the party.

"PKR must accept it because they must remember the plan to get rid of Khalid started from the Kajang Move which had not only failed but also backfired," he said.

Azmi also does not regard the action of Abdul Khalid in wanting to resign as conceding defeat, but sees it as a praiseworthy action which casts aside ego for the sake of the continuity of the administration of Selangor and the interest of the people.

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Law, Government and International Studies College dean, Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed said Abdul Khalid was a political victim because he was not found guilty, which would otherwise disqualify him as MB, while his sacking from the party was still not valid under

the law.

He was also of the opinion that the crisis might cause Abdul Khalid to lose interest and confidence in politics, as he was facing a dark episode in his political career.

"We are aware that Abdul Khalid became MB because he wanted to serve society and this incident might cause him to be disappointed or dissatisfied because what he dreamed about could not be implemented due to interference by other quarters," he said.

Asked if the Selangor leadership crisis would be resolved soon with the Sultan ordering more than two names each from PAS, PKR and DAP, Ahmad Marthada personally thought the crisis would not be fully solved.

"Certain quarters see it as a signal that the Sultan seems not to want Dr Wan Azizah, while PKR is so pressing. So, I feel there will be a crisis between PAS and PKR, its ally in Pakatan Rakyat, what more, PAS is still indecisive on its support for Dr Wan Azizah," he said.

Meanwhile, political analyst Dr Chandra Muzaffar said PR must realise they could not be too insistent in wanting Dr Wan Azizah to fill the MB post because the Sultans were on a higher position in the tradition of appointing MBs in this country.

"We must remember that the rejection of a candidate as MB had taken place in 2008 in Terengganu when the candidate picked by a political party was not agreed to by the Sultan who appointed another individual as MB," he said.

Chandra sees the Sultan of Selangor as still tolerant of the crisis and he said this must be appreciated to retain confidence for continued smoothness of the state's administration.