Nik Aziz: We still want Khalid as Selangor Mentri Besar

PAS is standing firm by its decision that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim should be retained as the Selangor Mentri Besar.

Its spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the party was prepared for any eventuality or consequences but would hold steadfast to the Syura council’s decision over the matter.

“PKR can make any decision they want, but we are against it,” he said, referring to PKR’s ousting of Khalid to enable its president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to assume the post.

Nik Aziz said this at his home in Pulau Melaka here yesterday when asked to comment on Khalid’s sacking by PKR’s leadership council.

He said it was not important for PAS whether PKR accepted its Syura council’s decision on Dr Wan Azizah’s candidacy, pointing out that “PAS has had a history of going on its own and survived”.

“I want to say this, PAS is a seasoned party and it has faced many obstacles in the form of Barisan Nasional and Semangat 46,” Nik Aziz said. “We were once thrown out of Barisan (Nasional), but we stood steadfast and did not flinch.”

On Thursday, the Syura council met to discuss PKR’s proposal for Dr Wan Azizah to take over as the Selangor Mentri Besar and decided to back Khalid, saying that its decision was based on syariah.

Nik Aziz also advised PAS leaders and members to “watch their mouth” and stand by the Syura council decision and that of party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who had also defended Khalid. On Friday, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rebuffed PAS’ decision, saying it would in no way influence the party’s plan to remove Khalid.