SHAH ALAM, Aug 13 — The sacking of five DAP and PKR state executive council (Exco) members, which took effect Tuesday, is valid and has received the consent of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, says Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Abdul Khalid said the Sultan had given his consent for the termination of the tenure of service of the five Exco members on his (Abdul Khalid) advice as the menteri besar.
“I wrote a letter to the Sultan at 2 pm yesterday after receiving the news that the five Exco members had issued a joint statement that they do not want to have anything to do with the menteri besar, that they will only attend the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council (MMKN) to monitor the operation of the state government and that they will only adhere to the decision of their parties.
“The Sultan replied to my letter two hours later, allowing me to announce the sacking of the five Exco members,” Abdul Khalid told a press conference after chairing the state executive council weekly meeting at the State Secretary Building in Shah Alam, Wednesday.
The menteri besar showed the Sultan’s reply to members of the media, confirming that there was no objection from the palace for the sacking of Datuk Teng Chang Khim, V. Ganabatirau and Ean Yong Hian Wah of DAP and Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping and Dr Daroyah Alwi of PKR.
Abdul Khalid said the Exco members’ move to issue a joint statement on their stand not to work with him contravened the 10 Pledges and Loyalty Oaths they made before the Sultan of Selangor when they took their oath of office.
On Tuesday, Abdul Khalid was reported as having sacked six state Exco members, but the menteri besar Wednesday clarified that the decision on the sixth Exco members, Rodziah Ismail of PKR, had yet to be done as she was currently abroad.
He said the final decision on her status would be made once she returned to the country.
“If she can cooperate with the remaining (PAS) Exco members, she can continue (her service), but if not, she will receive her letter of termination of service too.
“Only five names (except Rodziah) were submitted to the Sultan.
“She (Rodziah) came to see me before going abroad,” he said and refused to make any further comments on his meeting with Rodziah.
On the MMKN meeting today, Abdul Khalid said even without the presence of the sacked members, the meeting ran smoothly with the attendance of four members of PAS and three ex-officio members to meet the quorum.
“The number was adequate and valid under Article 53 (2)(b) of the Selangor State Constitution which stated that it only needs at least four members of the MMKN to rule the state legally,” he said.
The four Exco members of PAS who attended the meeting were Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, Dr Halimah Ali, Iskandar Abdul Samad and Sallehen Mukhyi.
Asked whether new Exco members would be appointed to replace the sacked members, Abdul Khalid said it would not be made immediately.
“The Sultan has advised me to maintain the current number (of Exco members) to ensure that focus can be given to development work and people’s wellbeing,” he said.
On Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s position as the Selangor state economic advisor and member Local Authority Council, the menteri besar said the matter would be discussed at the Selangor Economic Action Council’s meeting tomorrow.
Abdul Khalid also welcomed the five sacked Exco members to attend the meeting tomorrow to discuss the issues concerning the state’s administration.
“They are encouraged to attend, but not as Exco members. We will convene the meeting in a transparent and responsible manners to make a very important decision,” he said.
When asked about the support from Umno, the menteri besar said he welcomed it with an open heart.
To a question on whether he would appoint state assemblymen from Umno to become Exco members, Abdul Khalid said it was a non-issue.
“Right now, the administration of the state government will only be done by myself and the remaining four state Exco members, as well as civil servants, to strengthen the state government,” he stressed.
— BERNAMA
