Palace says MB was late with his state secretary choices
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — The Selangor state secretary appointment dispute is likely to drag on as palace officials claimed today that the mentri besar was “late” forwarding his candidate choices.
The richest state in the country has been in turmoil since Datuk Mohd Khusrin Munawi was given the post by the federal government two days ago, followed by the Selangor Sultan duly blessing the choice. The state government has maintained that they have not finalised a candidate, saying Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has not been informed officially.
Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, private secretary to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, said today Khalid had sent in three shortlisted candidates on December 7, but by then His Highness has already blessed the federal government’s pick.
According to a Berita Harian report, Mohamad Munir was quoted as saying that the Sultan had given his blessings to Mohd Khusrin’s appointment on December 10.
“The official letter (to seek an audience with the Sultan) was (also) sent late. His Highness is currently on leave and will return to the palace on January 3. So there is not issue about the MB wanting to seek an audience with the Sultan, because there is no problem with (Mohd Khusrin’s) appointment,” said Mohamad Munir.
The Selangor MB has sent a letter outlining the state’s position on the matter to the Sultan. The state government’s “selection process” involved a judging panel interviewing potential candidates. The panel identified three names.
The private secretary to Sultan said that Khalid could only seek an audience on January 3, two days after Mohd Khusrin assumes the post.
Mohamad Munir also refuted Pakatan Rakyat’s claims that the state had the final say, stating the state constitution did not support that premise.
Mohamad Munir also said that the Sultan of Selangor has been “informed” of the Mentri Besar wanting to seek an audience with him.
The Chief Secretary to the Government announced today days ago Mohd Khusrin’s promotion.
Mohd Khusrin takes over from Datuk Ramli Mahmud, who leaves on December 31.
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