Selangor accepts Khusrin as state secretary

Khusrin (left) meets with Khalid at the mentri besar’s office, February 7, 2011.—Picture courtesy of the Selangor MB’s press secretariat

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — The Selangor government has implicitly accepted Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi’s appointment as the new state secretary, with Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim assigning Khusrin specific tasks today as part of his job.

Khalid met Khusrin at his office at 5pm today to discuss the latter’s duties, which include management of state land and properties.

“Even though the state government is of the view that the Sultan of Selangor and the mentri besar should have a role in the appointment of the state secretary, this meeting is held today to ensure the needs of the people of Selangor are prioritised and the state administration runs smoothly,” said a statement from the MB’s office.

According to the statement, Khalid told Khusrin to work closely with state district officers and local authorities to ensure that state-owned properties, especially those which were abandoned, were taken care of and well-managed.

Khalid had also advised Khusrin to meet up with squatters currently living on state-owned land and discuss with them to find the best solution to the matter.

As state secretary, Khusrin is required to prepare reports and inform Selangor of the latest developments concerning the state’s properties, and identify those which were abandoned and problematic.

“Mohamed Khusrin is also asked to continue Selangor’s efforts in combating the sand theft problem which can affect the state government’s income,” added the statement.

Khalid has not officially stated whether Khusrin has been accepted as Selangor state secretary.

The former Selangor Islamic department (Jais) director assumed the state secretary’s post on January 1 and later swore a voluntary oath of loyalty in front of the state ruler but has yet to take his oath of secrecy before the mentri besar, a constitutional requirement before he is able to attend state executive council meetings.

Khusrin’s appointment was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan on December 27 last year.

The appointment was, however, opposed by the state government as Khalid claimed that his administration was not consulted.

The state government later attempted to amend the state constitution to enable it to appoint its top three civil servants without federal interference.

It, however, failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority in the state assembly to amend the constitution in an emergency sitting on January 24. - Malaysian Insider