SELANGOR is still without a menteri besar (MB) and the mystery has deepened with three names submitted to the Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who will appoint a Pakatan Harapan (PH) head of the richest state in Malaysia tomorrow, Monday (Aug 21).
However, one of the reasons for the hold-up is the Selangor ruler is undergoing a medical procedure abroad. That has not stopped speculation as to whether the incumbent Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari would be retained or a new face would take over after PH lost its two-thirds majority following a strong push by the Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when asked about the delay in the nomination of the MB in Selangor last week, downplayed any political issues, saying the situations are “settled”.
“Settled, already settled,” Anwar told reporters briefly when met at Masjid Jamek Ar-Rahimah in Klang after he finished his Friday (Aug 18) prayers.
Out of Selangor’s 56 seats, PH won 32 seats and Barisan Nasional two seats for a combined 34 seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won 22 seats.
Some news portals claimed that there were conflicting reports on the number of names submitted to the palace, with several reports insisting that three names were submitted but a source close to the premier said it was just one name.
A PH source said Seri Setia assemblyperson Fahmi Ngah, an aeronautical engineer is on the list as the second favourite. It is also believed to be aligned with Anwar. The other name on the list is Tanjong Sepat representative Borhan Ahmad Shah.
There are many questions about why the three names were submitted and whether the current MB may not be chosen for another term.
Nevertheless, it is also reported that it is a way to honour the ruler’s wish, but Amirudin, who was seen as a close ally of Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, is the favourite and is expected to continue helming the state.
Amirudin succeeded his former mentor-turned-nemesis Azmin in 2018. – Aug 2o, 2023
Main photo credit: Selangor.travel
