MB's aide denies involvement in Hulu Bernam coordinator swap

 

Batang Kali state constituency coordinator Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad has denied Hulu Selangor Amanah division’s allegation of being involved in the decision to replace the Hulu Bernam state constituency coordinator.

He said all decisions regarding political appointments in Selangor are discussed and decided through the state assembly office headed by Selangor speaker Lau Weng San and the state executive council chaired by Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.

“If I, as political secretary (to Amirudin), have the power to determine any political appointment in Selangor, it would imply that the Selangor exco has no authority over the government’s administrative decisions,” Saifuddin (above) said.

Previously, Hulu Selangor Amanah called on Amirudin to reinstate its deputy chief Roslin Md Zin as the Hulu Bernam state constituency coordinator.

The Amanah division’s vice chief Mohammad Syafiq Musa claimed that Roslin’s termination was politically motivated and orchestrated by certain parties, with the position being handed over to Hulu Selangor Umno chief Mohd Isa Abu Kasim.

Hulu Selangor Amanah deputy chief Roslin Md Zin (left) and Hulu Selangor Umno chief Mohd Isa Abu Kasim

“We were also informed that the termination was a political move by certain quarters aiming to position themselves in the Batang Kali constituency, which was supposed to be given to Umno.

“As a result, the Hulu Bernam state constituency coordinator from Amanah was abruptly terminated without explanation and the position given to Umno,” he said in a statement yesterday.

PKR’s request for Batang Kali

Elaborating, Saifuddin emphasised that during the seat negotiations for the 2023 state election, they never questioned allocating the Batang Kali state seat to Umno even though he was the state constituency coordinator at that time.

“After the Selangor state government was formed following the 15th state election, I asked for the Batang Kali constituency to be returned to PKR.

“This is because we had stepped aside for Umno to contest and Umno lost. If they had won, we would not have claimed it. So, I feel that this right should be returned to PKR,” he added.

He said the Hulu Selangor Amanah should refer the matter to two of the party’s leaders who are in the state executive, namely Anfaal Saari and Izham Hashim, the latter of whom is also the Selangor Amanah chief.

“Both were present at the exco meeting on May 11. So, if they want to know, they can ask their representatives,” he said.

‘Mengada-ada’ attitude

He added that when Umno contested Batang Kali during the 2023 election, the matter was never discussed or informed to PKR beforehand.

He claimed that at that time, it was Umno - not Amanah - that was supposed to contest in Hulu Bernam as they were the incumbent.

“If Amanah can respect the seat distribution in the last election, why can’t they respect the executive council decision? To me, this is a frivolous attitude (mengada-ada).

“How could Umno contest in Batang Kali and Amanah in Hulu Bernam without PKR or Hulu Selangor Pakatan Harapan’s knowledge at that time?

“So, if you want to talk about lack of consultation, lack of unity, and so on, Amanah should ask themselves,” he added.

Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda said his party hopes to retain the Hulu Bernam seat and is prepared to negotiate for the exchange of the position of Batang Kali state constituency coordinator or Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency coordinator. - Mkini