Wan Azizah replied,"You should ask the Palace. Not me," when asked if PR (People's Pact) would agree to a different candidate should Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah refuses her nomination as MB to replace Khalid Ibrahim.
Yesterday, while enjoying 'kopi-o' and 'roti canai', these questions were thrown during the conversation with frieds -
1- Why is PKR particularly Anwar Ibrahim, so uncompromising with it's/his stand to only nominate Wan Azizah as candidate for Selangor MB?
My answer - "Don't ask me. Ask Anwar."
2- Why is PAS especially Hadi Awang, still firmly rejecting Wan Azizah's candidacy, if gender was not an issue?
My answer - "I don't know. I cannot speculate.Only PAS top leaderships have the answer."
3- Between Anwar and Hadi Awang, who is being recalcitrant? (refering to their differences over MB's nomination)
My answer - "Behind every picture, there's always a story."
For most residents of Selangor especially the lower income bracket, they are totally ignorant as far as procedures relating to an appointment of their MB (chief minister) are concerned - and surely, they cannot be blamed.
They are also not sure or unaware, how much does the Federal Constitution differs with the state constitution, but even as it is, even political analysts and experts seem to have their differences on the crux of the matter.
Thus, Selangor residents' common question is - Who had the authority (final say) in appointing a MB - The Pallace (HRH the Sultan) OR political party and it's leaders?
If I can quote a reported statement by a former judge of the Court of Appeals, Mohd Noor Abdullah, he explined that the Sultan of Selangor has absolute power in deciding the appointment of an individual to be the state's MB.
He was reported to have said that the power is provided for in the Selangor State Constitution 1959 based on Article 51.
"The Sultan of Selangor has absolute power on two matters and can make a decision without any advice, that is, in the selection of MB and secondly, in the disolution of the State Legislative Assembly.
"The Sultan of Selangor has absolute poer on two matters, the Sultan does not have to act on the advice of anyone," he told reporters.
"In the case of Selangor, two parties namely PAS and PKR can nominate the name of an appropriate candidate and if this is rejected, they must nominate another name," he added.
Based on that assumption, many had earlier wondered (when topic of Anwar's nomination to contest in the Kajang by-election hit the nation) if HRH Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah would see him as a suitable candidate to replace incumbent MB, Khalid Ibrahim, even if he was to have contested and won the Kajang by-election.
On the logic of the above, what it is that so difficult for PKR and Anwar (now supported by DAP and The PAS' duo ) to also nominate other name(s) along with his party president and wife, Azizah?
And that's what precisely PAS has wanted, though PAS has indicated it's disagreement on the choice of Azizah as the new MB from PR (People's Pact).
Again, if the final say lies in the hands of the Sultan, there is nothing PAS could do should the Sultan decided to grant his consent to Azizah's nomination other than to adhere to Sultan's decision.
Likewise, should the Sultan refuses Azizah and that only her name was nominated, HRH the Sultan could ask the party to nominate an alternative name(s) for his consideration.
In the situation in Selangor, do not forget, the Sultan could determine whether the candidate is a PAS or PKR leader.
Thus, people asked, what is the perfectly rational explanation in insisting of only nominating Azizah for the post?
If indeed, the Sultan is in agreement with PR's choice in Azizah, surely- there would not be a problem for the Sultan to appoint her as the new MB replacing Khalid, without any delay.
The apparent disagreement between Anwar and Hadi over the choice of Selangor new MB would invite more complications to PAS/PKR inter-party relations, in the coming days/future.
The Star reported that the PAS leadership is against proposing Azizah as MB as it feels the Sultan is not in favor of her leading the state. PAS feels Sultan not in favor of Azizah PAS was also reported as saying that it understands that the Sultan does not consent to Wan Azizah.
"The most important factor for anyone who wants to be the MB is that he or she must have the consent of Tuanku.
"If the person that some quarters want is someone we believe Tuanku is not in favor of, why must they insist? We have told them (PKR) about this problem but they still insist, so how?" asked the official, who did not want to be named, report The Star.
If the report is true, then the signals by the Pallace for not granting Azizah an audience prior to HRH's overseas trip speaks volume.
The fact that PKR's 'snatching' two of PAS' reps just to drive home that Azizah is the sole choice for the MB post discomfort PAS and it's leaders.
Thus, who is the 'recalcitrant' here?
Would Hadi bow to Anwar or would the latter concedes to Hadi? Even though should PAS eventually agrees to Azizah's nomination during it's meeting tomorrow (Sunday), would the Pallace grant it's concent?
Then what?
Demonstrations and rallies against the monarch?
I let readers form your own opinion.
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