Anwar says PKR's actions in submitting only one name as the candidate for Selangor MB follows the convention of what Barisan Nasional has been doing in all states since indepence. - The Malaysian Insider pic, September 9, 2014.PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sought forgiveness from the Sultan of Selangor today if the party had offended the state ruler for not abiding by his decree to nominate at least three candidates for the menteri besar post.
But the opposition leader also insisted that PKR's decision to propose only one nominee, party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was in line with the state's law and convention.
"Referring to the media statement by the Selangor palace media signed by the private secretary to the Sultan yesterday, we ask the Sultan's forgiveness if our decision to abide by the Selangor State Law and convention since 1957 offended the feelings of the Sultan," Anwar said in a statement today.
His statement comes hours after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng issued a similar statement this morning on the matter.
Anwar added that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat stood by the principle of the supremacy of the constitution and upheld the constitutional monarch and system of parliamentary democracy.
The opposition leader also slammed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for claiming otherwise, adding that Umno too had only presented one name for the positions of state assemblyman, parliamentarian, chief minister, menteri besar and prime minister since 1957.
"As the prime minister Najib should be honest with his party's stance and that of the Barisan Nasional government, and not attack Keadilan for following the same convention," said Anwar.
On Sunday, Najib accused PKR of failing to understand the constitution and being "in cahoots with DAP, as though giving an ultimatum to the Sultan", Bernama reported.
In light of PKR's defiance, Najib said Umno members must explain to their children what could happen to their race, religion and rulers if Umno lost power.
"What will happen to our institution of rulers, to Islam and to the position of the Malays? All these we must explain to our children," he was quoted as telling Pekan Umno division delegates.
But Anwar pointed out that Najib had been with Umno when the party supported the amendment of the constitution relating to the Agong's powers.
"Datuk Seri Najib's statement yesterday has crossed the line because he denied Keadilan's stance which is based on the supremacy of the law and the system of constitutional monarchy," added Anwar.
Earlier today, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also sought forgiveness from the Sultan of Selangor for submitting only one name for the menteri besar position, while reiterating the party's loyalty to the state monarch.
Lim said he would discuss with Anwar on the Sultan's decree that each party within Pakatan Rakyat (PR) submit more than two names to the palace.
He explained that DAP had decided to only nominate Dr Wan Azizah after discussing with Anwar over how it was convention to submit only one name, citing Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's appointment last year.
Lim added that DAP had also taken into account the support of 30 state assemblymen for Dr Wan Azizah, as well as PR's consensus that the Selangor menteri besar would be from PKR.
Yesterday, the Sultan revealed he was extremely disappointed with PKR and DAP for defying the decree he made on August 27, 2014.
"DAP and Keadilan's actions reflect their insolence towards the royal institution and is treason towards the Selangor Sultan," said the statement issued by the Sultan's private secretary, Datuk Munir Bani.
It said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had decreed each party within Pakatan Rakyat to submit more than two names, saying it was the palace's convention on the matter.
"This is to allow him to decide on the future Selangor menteri besar by looking not only at the majority support of the state legislative assembly, but also in terms of the skills, experience, integrity and capabilities of the state assemblyman."
PAS alone had deviated from the PR consensus and submitted three names, two from PKR and one from its own ranks, in a move that had strained ties between the allies.
PAS president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, told a special briefing for the party on Friday that Dr Wan Azizah was not qualified for the post, as she did not have the ability to debate questions in Parliament or the state assembly.
- TMI
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