PAS retracts support for Khalid, now backs Azmin and Wan Azizah

KUALA LUMPUR - PAS has now retracted its support for Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim as the Selangor Mentri Besar and nominated two candidates to replace the embattled leader to resolve the impasse.

In a packed press conference here, deputy president Mohamad Sabu, also known as Mat Sabu, said that the party has named Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali and Kajang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as possible replacement.

He said on Sunday that Khalid was no longer their concern as "he was sacked from PKR", reiterating that the Syura council made its decision to support him when he was still in the party.

The Syura council had previously decided that it would continue to support Khalid as the mentri besar based on the fact that he was not involved in any dubious activities.

The decision was made before Khalid was sacked from PKR for refusing to step down for a new mentri besar to take over his post.

In the meeting, which was chaired by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, it was also decided that PAS would not claim the position of mentri besar.

"We have also decided to remain in Pakatan Rakyat as part of our tahaluf siyasi (political co-operation),” said Mat Sabu.

He added that the four PAS state executive councillors would remain in the state government to “ensure that the people’s welfare is not affected” by the crisis.

When asked why the party changed its stand on Khalid, Mat Sabu said they made the decision as he no longer belongs to any party in the Pakatan Rakyat.

“He was sacked. He is no longer a PKR member. We co-operate with the party, not the individual,” he said.

When asked whether this meant that the party finally agreed on Wan Azizah as the new mentri besar, he replied: “We never said we agreed. We only proposed two names”.

He said the names would be forwarded to the Pakatan Rakyat top leadership meeting to be held later, Sunday, in Subang.

Mat Sabu also said the party was still investigating on the two PAS’ assemblymen who declared their support for Wan Azizah before the party made its official decision.

Also present at the press conference were PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar, PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kayat and PAS Wanita chief Zailah Mohd Yusof.

The meeting was chaired by Abdul Hadi and attended by many notable leaders such as vice-president Datuk Husam Musa and acting Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Ahmad Yaakob.

By Rahmah Ghazali and Razak Ahmad