Political situation extends Khalid’s MB tenure

The Sultan of Selangor has delayed accepting Khalid Ibrahim’s resignation as the Menteri Besar because the political situation has caused too much public unrest. Khalid told reporters this after his audience with the Sultan today.

He said he apologised to the Sultan for the political developments that have involved the palace.

Referring to the Sultan’s directive to PAS, PKR and DAP to nominate candidates for the Menteri Besar’s post, he said, “I am confident that the Sultan will have the people and the state in mind in his decision.”

Khalid also said the Sultan made no comments about PKR’s choice of its president, Wan Azizah Ismail, as its candidate.

According to Khalid, the Sultan indicated that PAS, PKR and DAP should nominate more than two candidates. He said this was standard practice, going back to the days when Barisan Nasional was in power in the state.

“I won’t say anything about whether the MB must be Selangor-born; it’s up to the Sultan,” he said.

“I’ll continue with the four PAS Excos until a new MB is chosen.”

Khalid also said he would not accept it if any party were to nominate him as MB.

He said he was happy to leave the job and refused to comment on whether he would join PAS.

-FMT