Selangor can decide later on new name, says Pakatan Harapan

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali is in a bind as his administration needs the support of 13 PAS assemblymen and three PAS exco members to function. PAS is not part of the new opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 1, 2015.

The new opposition coalition is in no hurry to pressure the Selangor government to declare itself a Pakatan Harapan government, amid posers over the future of Malaysia’s wealthiest state following the formation of the new pact.

The new alliance, comprising PKR, DAP and Amanah, has put Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali in a tight spot as his administration relies on the support of 13 PAS assemblymen and three PAS exco members to function.

While Penang has already identified itself as a Pakatan Harapan government, Azmin said the new opposition pact, launched last week, would not affect the state he led.

Pakatan Harapan communication director Khalid Samad told The Malaysian Insider that the coalition would give Selangor as well as PAS time to weigh their options.

“The situation in Penang is different from that in Selangor and even Kelantan. We will give the leaders in Selangor time to use their wisdom in managing the state,” said Khalid.

“Once Pakatan Harapan has structured itself properly, and we in Amanah sort ourselves out properly, we will discuss this matter.

“Let’s give PAS time and space to think about their stand, because we believe PAS still needs to join this pact.”

However, Pakatan Harapan supporters, particularly those from DAP and Amanah, have begun asking when would Azmin start making changes to the state government in light of the new coalition.

Pakatan Harapan leaders said Azmin needed to fortify the Selangor government as soon as possible, as it was only last year that it went through a shake-up over the “Kajang move” and menteri besar saga.

In Penang, chief minister Lim Guan Eng wasted no time declaring that his government would officially be known as the Pakatan Harapan government.

Already, Amanah leaders have slowly begun replacing PAS members in the state administration, taking up posts in the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP), city hall and municipal councils, and the various village development and security committees (JKK).

The Malaysian Insider understands that nearly 500 PAS leaders at all levels were given posts in the Penang government when Pakatan Rakyat was formed.

With Lim’s announcement, Amanah members are also poised to replace the four PAS state assembly coordinators of Sungai Dua, Bayan Lepas, Permatang Berangan and Penaga.

The coordinators receive a fixed monthly allowance of RM3,500 from the Penang government.

Appointed by the government, they act as representatives in areas where Pakatan Rakyat had lost in the past general election.

PAS’s MAIPP member, Afnan Hamimi Mohd Taib, will likely lose his post, although his colleague Rosidi Husin is spared, having recently joined Amanah.

Datuk Mohd Salleh Man will remain as MAIPP chairman until his tenure ends, as he was appointed by the Agong.

Two PAS representatives in the local government council will also be dropped, while another two who joined Amanah will be reappointed.

Pakatan Harapan was launched on September 22, three months after Pakatan Rakyat broke up over unresolved disputes between DAP and PAS. 

Critics, including Islamist party PAS, who snubbed the new coalition, said the unveiling of Pakatan Harapan was a hasty move.

- TMI