MB can't say no to appointment, says Nazri

(NST) - Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has no right to reject the appointment of Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the new state secretary.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the New Straits Times yesterday that there was not even a requirement to seek the menteri besar's approval in appointing the new state secretary, adding that the menteri besar was only informed of the appointment as a matter of courtesy.

"So the appointment of Khusrin as the new state secretary stands."

Nazri, who said that the appointment was "done properly", explained that the appointment of an officer for the post was previously done by the sultan.

"Since the constitution was amended, the appointment of all officers is done by the Public Service Commission.

"The commission then delegates it to a board consisting of the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Public Service Department's director-general and others in making the decision."

He said that this applied to states which previously formed the Federated Malay States, namely Selangor, Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Perak, so all public officers were federal officers.

Johor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu have their own respective state public service commissions.

"I understand that Khalid had submitted a list of candidates for the post to the sultan.

"However, even if the list is given to the commission, it is not obliged to appoint someone from the list since it is the commission that makes the decision."

Nazri said the menteri besar was not in a position to evaluate public officers, as it was not his responsibility to evaluate their performance.

"Only the commission will know (of their performance). It also wouldn't be fair if the menteri besar were to make the decision because you never know if he chooses someone because he is the menteri besar's favourite."

On Monday, Khalid had disputed the appointment of Khusrin.

He said in a statement that the appointment was not final because he had not been told about the matter.

Khalid also said an interview panel set up by the state government had shortlisted three names deemed fit to assume the post.

He also said he would seek an audience with the sultan and submit the three names.

Khalid said he had written to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, informing the sultan that he was not contacted by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan with regard to Khusrin's appointment.

This was after Sidek announced, in a press statement, that Khusrin, 54, would take over from Datuk Ramli Mahmud, 56, who completes his service on Dec 31, effective Jan 1.

Sidek said the appointment of Khusrin had received the consent of the Selangor Sultan.