Selangor PKR 'not consulted' on joint backing for Harapan declarations

Selangor PKR was not consulted with regard to the joint statement by three other Pakatan Harapan parties' state chapters endorsing the coalition's declarations at Sunday's national convention, according to Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.

"I have checked with Selangor PKR and we were never consulted about the (joint) statement.

"So there is no issue about PKR not being together (with DAP, Amanah and Bersatu). We were not consulted," he told reporters in Gombak this afternoon.

Azmin is the Selangor PKR chief.

Eyebrows were raised when his name was missing from the joint statement signed by the state Amanah, Bersatu and DAP chiefs in support of the declarations, including naming Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the coalition's prime minister candidate.

The statement was signed by Selangor Amanah chairperson Izham Hashim, Selangor DAP chairperson Tony Pua and Selangor Bersatu chairperson Abdul Rashid Asari.

When contacted, Izham (photo) said that the joint statement was issued in response to Selangor PKR's statement, signed by its communications bureau chief Nor Hizwan Azman.

"The decision (to appoint Mahathir) was already made at the national convention.

"So when Selangor PKR issued a statement that appeared to disagree with the decision, we had to respond to show that the state (Harapan parties) actually support it," Izham said, adding that as such there was no further need to consult Selangor PKR on the matter.

Hizwan had stated earlier this week that, among others, millennials preferred a "fresh leader" to helm the country.

In another statement earlier today, Hizwan also confirmed that Selangor PKR was not consulted on the joint statement.

However, he said Selangor PKR would focus on helping Harapan win the general election as the coalition had made and justified its decision on the prime minister candidacy.

Selangor PKR's commitment to the state coalition remained unchanged and its main focus was to help Harapan retain the state and take over Putrajaya, Hizwan said.

He added that PKR should be allowed to contest more state seats in the ongoing seat negotiations with other Harapan parties in Selangor.

Besides Hizwan, Selangor PKR deputy chairperson Zuraida Kamaruddin had also objected to the practice of "recycling" leaders.

Mahathir is fit to be a senior leader instead of the prime minister, Zuraida said.- Mkini