Showdown in Selangor state assembly

Elected representatives, assembly staff and journalists turn up early today for the debate on the controversial constitutional amendments at the Selangor state assembly in Shah Alam.

Two small truckloads of uniformed police personnel were seen converging at the entrance gate of the state assembly, while a third truck was seen further out near Wisma MBSA, in anticipation of anti-Selangor government protesters (below).

The gates for both the entrance and exit to the state assembly are half closed, with just enough room for one car to pass on either side.

The state assembly is expected to sit for half a day beginning at 10am as the Pakatan Rakyat-led government intends to table amendments to the state constitution which they claim will return power to the Selangor sultan in deciding key state appointments.

The opposition however accuse the government of plotting to increase the powers of the menteri besar in deciding high-profile state appointments.

The proposed amendments came about after the federal government appointed former Selangor Islamic Affairs Department director Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the new state secretary.

The Selangor government strongly opposed the move, accusing Putrajaya of usurping state powers in appointing Khusrin without consulting the menteri besar.

The Selangor sultan however gave his consent to Khusrin's appointment, swearing him in at a state ceremony on Jan 5.

LIVE REPORTS

9.30am: Port Klang state assemblyperson Badrul Hisham Abdullah arrives at the state assembly, accompanied by two aides.

He is immediately greeted by a throng of photographers, catching the elected representative by surprise. "Wah, banyak peminat ni." (wow, a lot of fans).

Badrul refuses to answer questions, waving away journalists who asked whether or not he has filed his court challenge against speaker Teng Chang Khim's recent declaration that the Port Klang state seat is vacant.

9.32am: About 200 people gathered at Dataran Shah Alam, under close watch by police. Some of them are wearing GAPS (Gagasan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor) headband. Four Light Strike Force units are also on standby at the SUK main gate.

9.40am: Pressed by journalists, Port Klang rep Badrul Hisham says he will file the court challenge later this afternoon after attending the state assembly sitting.

However, it is still not clear whether he would be allowed to enter the debate hall given that his seat has been declared vacant.

10am: State assembly convenes. Badrul (left) is sitting in the media observation room, which is situated one floor above the dewan, getting up a few times to take pictures of the proceedings down below.

State assembly secretary reads out the royal address on behalf of the sultan of Selangor Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

In his address, the sultan urges all elected representatives to debate the bill with decorum and not to misconstrue his signing his consent to the assembly sitting as support for any party in the House.

He also tells state assemblypersons to avoid dragging him into their political spats. The royalty is and always will remain apolitical, says the ruler.

10.24am: Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim reads out his speech. As provided for under Article 10(3) of the state constitution, the Selangor government is tabling amendments to the 1959 state charter, over Article 52(1), in particular, says the MB.

The amendments proposed are so that future generations are no longer in the dark and there are no individuals or parties that dare to breach the powers of the state government or the sultan, says Khalid.

Pakatan Rakyat is committed to upholding the federal and state constitutions as well as the Rukun Negara, which serve as the bases of the Selangor government today, he adds.

On the same principles, Pakatan is also committed to upholding the position and role of the Malay Rulers as enshrined in the federal constitution, Khalid continues. - Malaysiakini

[More to follow]