Abdul Khalid still legitimate Selangor MB - State legal advisor

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is still the legitimate Selangor Menteri Besar and is sanctioned to carry out the responsibilities as a Menteri Besar, Selangor legal adviser Datuk Nik Suhaimi Nik Sulaiman said Thursday.

He said this in response to a statement by Klang MP Charles Santiago on the possibility of the water agreement to be signed between the state government and the federal government becoming invalid.

"According to provisions in the Selangor State Constitution 1959, for as long as the Selangor Sultan has consented to the appointment of Abdul Khalid as the Selangor Menteri Besar and the appointment is in accordance with the provisions of the law, Abdul Khalid can still function and discharge his duties and responsibilities as a Menteri Besar.

"Therefore, the question on the illegality of actions or decisions made by the Selangor Menteri Besar in all matters, including his capacity to sign the water agreement on behalf of the Selangor government with the federal government do not arise as these actions are still within the executive powers of the Menteri Besar and in accordance with state laws," he said in a statement here Thursday.

Nik Suhaimi said the federal government was aware of the matter and that discussions, as well as negotiations, on the water agreement continued according to plan.

He said as provided under Article LI(1), Article LIII(2)(a) and(4),as well as Article LV(2)(a) of the Selangor State Constitution 1959, where the Sultan of Selangor had absolute discretionary powers to appoint a Menteri Besar, the ruler's decision in not wanting to accept Abdul Khalid's resignation until the appointment of new menteri besar should be complied with to ensure the state government's administration continued to run smoothly.

"The rights of the Selangor Sultan under the Selangor State Constitution 1959 should be respected and not disputed by any quarters.

"Statements which are not accurate and confusing, if believed, can create anxiety and fear among the people," he added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid, in a statement issued by his press secretariat Thursday, advised politicians to exercise caution, as well as do some research, before issuing any statement.

"This is to avoid confusion," he said.

Last Tuesday, Santiago was reported to have questioned the legitimacy of signing the RM9.65 billion water agreement with the federal government as he (Abdul Khalid) is an interim Menteri Besar.

As such, he urged the federal government to shelf the signing of the agreement until a new Selangor Menteri Besar is appointed.