PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang stressed that his decision to submit more than two names to the palace to be considered for the Selangor Menteri Besar position was done out of respect for the Selangor Sultan.

Abdul Hadi said this should not be turned into an issue by the PKR or DAP as the MB appointment is the Sultan’s prerogative.

He was also confident that his action would not break the Opposition coalition.

“I understand that His Royal Highness had asked for more than two names to be submitted. It means it is all right if we send three, four or even fifty names. But, it would be wrong if we send less than two names,” he said at the Islamic Syariah Implementation seminar at Tok Jiring, Kuala Terengganu, today.

However, Abdul Hadi refused to reveal the names of those submitted to the palace and stressed that as party president, it was his prerogative.

“This has been the party’s practice since 1959 where the MB’s appointment is left to the party president. It is the same even with the Barisan Nasional,” he said.

On another matter, Abdul Hadi said the party will ensure that the Pakatan Rakyat’s candidate wins the Pengkalan Kubor by-election in Kelantan.

However, he said the Opposition coalition is still in talks on which party should contest in the by-election as PKR has lost the seat twice.