Hadi thanks sultan for Selangor exco decree

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang expressed gratitude towards Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for his decree that the three PAS representatives remain in the PKR-led state executive council in the interest of stability. 

Questions were abound about the status of the three PAS exco members, after the Islamist party severed ties with PKR on May 11. 

"I am confident that the three executive council members and the 10 PAS elected representatives have never waned in their fervour to uphold the trust you have in them, and to fulfill their obligations to ensure stability of the Selangor government and serve the people fairly," he said in a statement.

The sultan's private secretary Mohamad Bunir Bani today said the sultan came to the decision to agree with Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali's proposal to maintain the status quo until the 14th general election, in order to preserve stability. 

The sultan also urged the public not to start negative speculations, especially in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan which is expected to start on Saturday. 

Separately, Selangor senior exco and DAP's Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Teng Chang Khim lauded the sultan's decision.

"Selangor needs political stability to maintain its position as the most developed state in the country, and the most attractive to foreign investors," he said in a statement. 

He said Selangor contributed 22.6 percent of national gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015.

"The wishes of the rakyat during the general election should be respected, especially since the state government still has the confidence of two-thirds of the legislative assembly," Teng said.

Despite cutting ties at national level, Selangor PAS chief Sallehen Mukhyi said the party's representatives pledged its loyalty to the PKR-led government.

"For those who constantly say rude things, who are jealous of Selangor government's success and who are exploiting the situation to cause political conflict in Selangor, they should take the Selangor sultan's words to heart," Sallehen said.

Without PAS support, Azmin's administration would only command backing of only 29 out of 56 assemblypersons - the minimum required for a simple majority.

This led to speculation of defection by PKR representatives to form a new government with PAS, Umno and Independent reps, but the rumours were swiftly quashed.

Following the May 11 decision, PKR instructed its members to vacate appointments in the PAS-led Kelantan government.- Mkini