KUALA TERENGGANU: Pas has objected to the nomination of PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the Selangor menteri besar post, citing her questionable leadership qualities.
In an apparent move likely to further drive a wedge between the Islamic party and its opposition partners, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang yesterday said as the richest state in the country, Selangor needed a strong and capable administrator to run a tight ship.
Hadi denied that the party’s stand was gender- biased.
Nevertheless, he did not spell out the qualities required for one to hold the top executive’s office in Selangor.
“There is a series of criteria needed for one to be eligible as a leader.
“For example, among the skills (Dr Wan Azizah) must possess is the ability to face (detractors) and answer hard questions in Parliament and the state assembly.
“If you can’t hold your own in a debate with opposition members in the (Selangor) state assembly, how can you lead (in a vastly larger role)?” Hadi said in Marang here, when asked by a Pas member during a dialogue as to why the party would not accept Dr Wan Azizah as the menteri besar.
The dialogue was held for party members to seek clarification on current political issues prior to Pas’ muktamar next week.
On Wednesday, Hadi created a furore after his office sent a new list of three potential office-bearers to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar. Hadi had declined to reveal the names.
The names were not revealed, but it was confirmed by party secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali that the names of two PKR and one Pas assemblymen have been submitted as candidates.
Previously, on Aug 17, Pas had named Dr Wan Azizah and her deputy, Azmin Ali, as the party’s preferred candidates, after Khalid was sacked from PKR last month. Pas also had pledged that it would not put forth one of its own for the post.
The sultan of Selangor had decreed that each of the opposition coalition parties should at least provide three names for the post. PKR and DAP, however, remained adamant to only fielding Dr Wan Azizah.
To a question by another member on the party’s decision to submit three names to the Selangor palace instead of one, Hadi said the party was merely adhering to the sultan’s decree.
“If we push on to submit just one (name) to the palace, then people will label us as tak reti bahasa (unable to understand simple instructions).
“At the same time, how will the sultan be able to deliberate (his choice) if there is only one name?
“It is up to the others (DAP and PKR) to determine the contents of their (respective) list, but I am certain that Pas members will prefer to have leaders who understand the request made by the sultan,” said Hadi.
