Bye bye to MB post on the cards
Azmin’s official status to be revealed today at 9am
And, two PKR men are in the running to replace Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
SHAH ALAM: Two state executive councillors from PKR are among the names touted to replace Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali if he relinquishes the coveted post following his appointment as a minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s new Cabinet.
“An official statement pertaining to my status (as mentri besar) will be issued by the Selangor palace at 9am tomorrow (today),” said Azmin when met at the palace gates at about 1.45pm after a twohour audience with Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at Istana Bukit Kayangan here yesterday.
He said his audience with Sultan Sharafuddin went smoothly and the Ruler was satisfied with the explanation given.
“Apart from the mentri besar matter, other issues related to Selangor were also discussed,” said Azmin.
The official announcement from the palace will probably be a statement signed by Sultan Sharafuddin on Azmin’s departure from the state government.
Azmin, who is Bu kit An tara bang sa assemblyman and Gombak MP, met Dr Mahathir on Saturday to discuss the Economic Affairs Ministry’s scope as well as what was expected of him.
Sultan Sharafuddin may also announce who will be taking over the helm of Malaysia’s wealthiest state which contributes 23% of the national gross domestic product (GDP).
Azmin was appointed as mentri besar in 2014.
Under the Selangor State Consti
tution 1959, the appointment and matters related to the mentri besar falls under the Sultan’s jurisdiction.
Currently the likely mentri besar candidates are Amirudin Shari (Sungai Tua) and Prof Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin (Seri Setia) who are both exco members.
When contacted, a PKR insider said party members were hoping Amirudin, who is one of Azmin’s proteges, would be the one appointed as the new mentri besar.
“This is his third term as assemblyman and second term as exco member. He has the experience to handle the job well,” he said.
Prof Dr Shaharuddin, meanwhile, comes with very impressive academic credentials.
However, the political analyst, who is also PKR vicepresident, is a newbie assemblyman.
On Friday, it was reported that the Yang diPertuan Agong had consented to the names of proposed ministers submitted by Dr Mahathir and the swearingin ceremony will be held today at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur.