Wan Azizah: It is my duty to take over as Selangor MB

(The Star) – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail says it is her duty and responsibility to assume the role of Selangor Mentri Besar as the party had already made its decision on the matter.

“All the positions I hold are a responsibility.

“Even without a position, it is a service to the people,” she said Wednesday after a prayer ceremony at the Permatang Nibong mosque here.

On claims that as MB, she would be a mere “puppet” of her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Wan Azizah said: “Well, he was in jail when I was elected (party) president.

“They can criticise whatever they want, but we have a team and teamwork is what we emphasise on,” she said.

The PKR supreme council endorsed Dr Wan Azizah for the role of Selangor MB, last Monday.

On Wednesday, the party’s decision to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was agreed to in principle by PKR’s Pakatan Rakyat partners DAP and PAS.

On Friday, however, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang defended Khalid, saying he wanted the latter to remain in office.

He was reported as saying that a majority of PAS grassroots agreed that Khalid should stay on, judging from his track record in helming the state.

In an immediate reaction, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that Hadi’s statement was merely a personal opinion and not the party’s official stand.

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Niz Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has also supported Hadi’s view, saying that Khalid has not done anything wrong.