Selangor Sultan consents to PAS Exco members remaining in state gov't until next general election

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has consented to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali's wish for the three state executive councillors from PAS to remain in the state's administration until the coming general election.

The Sultan's private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani said the decision was made after the Sultan studied and considered all aspects, especially with regard to stability of the state's administration in the interest of the people.

"The Sultan also would like that the current state exco line-up be maintained for the sake of the people and the state's continued development.

"His Royal Highness also takes into consideration the mandate given by the people to the current state government to continue ruling to ensure harmony and development so as to achieve prosperity for the people in Selangor," he said in a statement, here, today.

The Selangor state government comprises equal number of executive councillors from the ruling three-party coalition, that is, three each from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), DAP and PAS.

The three from PAS are Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad who holds the Housing, Building and Urban Living Management portfolio), Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus (Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation) and Zaidy Abdul Talib (Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Agriculture Modernisation and Agro-based Industry.

Mohamad Munir said the menteri besar had earlier met with the Sultan and informed him on the current status of the state exco line-up following PAS' central leadership's decision to sever the party's political cooperation with PKR.

Following this, he said, Sultan Sharafuddin also granted an audience to Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi, who is also Sabak assemblyman, together with the three PAS state exco members to know their stand and status in the state's administration.

"The Sultan also believes that the trust gained by Mohamed Azmin when he was appointed as menteri besar in September 2014 remains," he said.

Mohamad Munir said the Sultan also urged all parties not to make negative speculations on the Selangor state government's stability.

He said Sultan Sharafuddin also hoped that with the month of Ramadan approaching, the people especially Muslims in Selangor would focus on strengthening their religious faith and piety while at the same time, avoid from being involved in slander and malice.

Yesterday, Mohamed Azmin had reportedly said that the three exco members from PAS wished to remain in the state government for the sake of its stability with the 14th general approaching, although the Islamic party had ended its political cooperation with PKR.

The PAS Ulama Syura Council had on May 11 decided that the party terminate its tahaluf siyasi or political cooperation with PKR after the party's 63rd Muktamar (General Assembly) held in Alor Setar, Kedah last month, passed a resolution to end the cooperation as PKR was viewed as not respecting PAS as its ally in the pact.

Meanwhile, Sallehen in a statement, here, today said that PAS thanked and appreciated the trust given by the Sultan of Selangor for the three state exco members from the party to remain in the state government''s administration.

He said Selangor PAS had prior to this, stated that the decision to sever political cooperation with PKR was in facing the coming general election and not related to running the state government .

Sallehen said that realising the demography of Selangor, PAS would continue to practise a culture of mature and congenial politics in facing situations.

-- BERNAMA