(NST) SHAH ALAM: Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will remain as Selangor menteri besar after receiving consent from the Sultan of Selangor.
The consent was met earlier today in a meeting at Istana Alam Shah Klang.
Khalid said that the meeting held earlier was to inform the Sultan of his dismissal from PKR on August 9.
“The Sultan asked whether I can still command a majority support in the state assembly to which I said I do.
“The Royal Highness then adviced me to continue serving the state as the Menteri Besar and I will remain so until further notice,” he said during a press conference at the state secretariat building.
In regards to support from the state executive council members, Khalid said that the support from four PAS Exco members allowed him to continue to command the state.
“In accordance to article 52 2 (B) in the state constitution, the Menteri besar needs to have cooperation from at least four members of the Exco to continue leading the state.
“The support from PAS has allowed me to retain the command,” he said.
When asked whether he still command a majority support from the state assembly, Khalid said that people are open to test it.
Khalid however said there will be no emergency state assembly and the next sitting will be in November for the tabling of the state budget.
He said that he will meet with the remaining Exco members from DAP and PKR who had earlier vouched to follow the orders of their respective party to not support Khalid. The meeting will take place tomorrow.
“Under the article, the Menteri Besar has the authority to advice for any unwilling and uncooperative Exco members to be removed from their post.
“And if the Exco members from DAP and PKR would still want to follow orders from their party, then I can advice for them to be removed,” he said.
The prospect of joining PAS is still in consideration but before any decision can be made, Khalid said he will answer to all the allegations made against that was aimed to tarnish his image.
“Before I can consider joining PAS, I need to be sure that I am clean from any allegations so as not to bring any unwanted baggage with me.
“I will seek legal actions against those involved with the campaign to smear my image,” he said
When asked whether he would consider forming a unity government with assemblymen from the opposition, Khalid said, “Now is not the moment to think about that, the matter of running the state is more important right now,” he said – NST
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