Khusrin in limbo after Sultan's advice to MB

(Harakah Daily) - Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said the state government would not be involved in any swearing-in ceremony to formalise the appointment of Khusrin Munawi as the new state secretary imposed on it by the Federal government.

“Until an amicable solution is found between the state government and PSD, the state government does not want to be involved in any kind of ceremony or event related to the appointment of the state secretary," said Khalid, adding that Khusrin would also not be allowed to attend state Executive Council and State Economic Actions meetings.

The swearing-in ceremony for the State Secretary is officialised in front of the MB. As such, Khalid's absence would mean the swearing-in would not materialise, in spite of the announcement by the Sultan's private secretary last week that the decision to appoint Khusrin was final.

The state government's latest decision was reached following a much-awaited audience between Khalid and the Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, this morning.

Constitutional amendment in the line

In a press statement, Khalid said the state government would request the state assembly speaker to convene a special assembly to amend the state's constitution (appended below) so that the powers to appoint the state secretary, legal advisor and financial officer would revert to the state, and not the Federal government.

Elaborating on his meeting, Khalid said the Sultan was of the opinion that since the 1993 constitutional amendment which took away some administrative powers of the Sultans, the palace has lost its authority over such appointments.

The appointment is now under the powers of the Public Service Commission, after the state Constitution was streamlined with the Federal Constitution.

“The Sultan proposes to the state government to hold discussion with PSC to find the best solution. I would like to record my thanks to the Sultan for his advice and views,” he told a press conference.

As a first step, Khalid said his administration would inform PSC to propose other candidates who were qualified for the post.

MAN AT THE CENTRE ... Khusrin reported to work this morning at the state administrative complex in Shah Alam

The state government has strongly objected to the appointment of Khusrin, who is widely regarded as a pro-UMNO official who had undermined state decisions during his tenure as director of the Selangor Islamic Department (JAIS).

Meanwhile, former judge N.H Chan cautioned the Selangor state government from preventing Khusrin to take the oath of office, saying it would give the latter an excuse not to maintain the confidentiality of state matters.

"It can be argued that he is not bound by any impediment or stricture not to reveal anything that happened at the State Executive Council,” said Chan in a statement.

Section 52 of the Selangor State Constitution states:

(1) There shall be constituted the offices of State Secretary, State Legal Adviser and State Financial Officer; and the appointments thereto shall be made by the appropriate Service Commission from amongst members of any of the relevant public services.

(2)(a) The State Secretary who shall be of the Malay race and profess the Muslim Religion, shall be the principal officer in charge of the administrative affairs of the State.

(b) The State Legal Adviser shall advice on legal matters referred to him by His Highness or the State Government.

(c) The State Financial Officer shall be the principal officer in charge of the financial affairs of the State.

(3) Every such official shall have the right to take part in the proceedings of the State Executive Council and the Legislative Assembly and may be appointed to any Committee thereof, but shall not have any vote in the State Executive Council or the Legislative Assembly or any such Committee.

(4) Before any such official first attends a meeting of the State Executive Council, he shall take and subscribe in the presence of the Menteri Besar the following Oath of Secrecy:
“I ………………………do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me in the course of my attending the State Executive Council except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as such or as may be specially permitted by the State Executive Council”.