Khalid says he has Sultan's consent to stay on as Selangor MB

Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today he has received the consent of the Sultan of Selangor to stay on as the menteri besar of the state until further developments take place.

He said the sultan was satisfied with the explanation he had provided with regard to his position as the menteri besar.

"I explained that despite my sacking from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), I still maintain the confidence of the majority of the state legislative assembly members.

"Hence, His Royal Highness was satisfied with my explanation and consented to my continuing to hold the post of Selangor menteri besar," he told a press conference at the State Secretariat Building here.

PKR had wanted Abdul Khalid to step down as the menteri besar to pave the way for PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to take over the post.

Asked about the possibility of a vote of no-confidence being passed against him, Abdul Khalid said those who wanted to do so could send a report to the sultan.

He said that so far the sultan had not received any report on such a motion.

As such, he said, he could continue to administer the state government, along with the four state executive councillors from PAS who, he claimed, had expressed support for him.

"Article 53 (2) (b) of the State Constitution 1959 provides for between at least four and up to 10 state executive councillors to carry out the administration.

"The four state executive councillors from PAS have expressed their agreement to serve under my leadership.

Abdul Khalid said the state executive councillors who were reluctant to work with him had the option of relinquishing their posts.

Nevertheless, he said, all the state executive councillors would be asked to state whether they wanted to remain in the present state government administration or otherwise.

On his expulsion from PKR last Saturday, Abdul Khalid said he would not pursue any legal action over that matter but would refer to the Registrar of Societies for an explanation whether his sacking had adhered to the correct procedure.

The Port Klang assemblyman said he would consider a PAS offer for him to join the party, considering that he was now an independent assemblyman.

"I want to clear myself of all sorts of allegations made by PKR before I make my next move," he said.

Asked about the possibility of him forming a unity government with the 12 Barisan Nasional assemblymen after joining PAS, he said the question was hypothetical.

With the sacking of Abdul Khalid from PKR, the 56-seat Selangor legislative assembly comprises 15 PAS, 15 DAP, 13 PKR, 12 BN and one independent members.

-My Sin Chew