Khusrin: I will not budge until federal government tells me to

New Selangor state secretary Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi today moved to refute claims that his hotly-contested appointment was “politically-motivated.”

The controversial former Selangor Islamic department (Jais) director stressed that he would carry out his duties despite direct opposition from the ruling state government over his appointment.

“All the accusations against me have been personal attacks. My appointment is legitimate, it’s just that what I have yet to do is to take an oath of secrecy in front of the Selangor MB,” said Khusrin today.

Despite a growing row over his appointment, Khusrin maintained that he would not budge from his post unless and until he received instructions from the federal government to do so.

“As long as there have been no orders on a federal level, I will remain as state secretary,” he said.

According to Khusrin, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has yet to notify him of the date for him to take his oath.

“I have written a letter to the MB this morning, and have even called his political secretary. I have not received any details regarding the details of my oath of secrecy session with the MB.

“But this is not a problem, I can still work as state secretary without taking the oath,” he said.

Selangor’s top civil servant also denied allegations that he had not earned enough remuneration points to “qualify” for the state secretary’s post.

“I was appointed by the Public Services Department. I am sure they have their reasons for appointing me. As a civil servant I know the rules and I am aware of what I can or cannot do.

“I have no political agenda and my job is to assist the state government machinery to do its best and ensure that the relationship between the executive and the administrative remains good,” he added.

The civil servant acknowledged, however, that decisions made by him when he was Jais director were against the stand of the Selangor government.

Khusrin went to lengths to explain that he was then merely enforcing specific guidelines, adding that personal attacks against him had begun after he had former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin arrested for allegedly preaching Islam last year without the proper religious “credentials.”

He also denied campaigning for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) during the last Hulu Selangor by-election.

“All the actions that I took as Jais director was based on existing enactments, like in the case of sermons in mosques being used for political purposes.

“I have never been called up by the state government because of my actions except in the case of Dr Asri’s arrest, where I have already explained myself to the Selangor Exco,” said Khusrin.

“I urge co-operation on all levels so that these issues will not blown out of proportion, so that Muslims in Selangor will not be misunderstood. I am ready to work with everyone, I have no problems,” he added.

The Selangor government had vowed to make life difficult for Mohd Khusrin by banning him from attending all important state meetings.

Khalid said earlier today that he will write an official letter to the Public Services Commission demanding a “better candidate” for the civil service post.

The country’s richest state has been in turmoil for the past week since the Chief Secretary to the federal government named Khusrin to the post to replace outgoing State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud, whose last day of office was on Friday.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government has rejected Khusrin’s appointment and insists it has the right to name its own person for the job.

- Malaysian Insider