KLANG: The new Selangor state Menteri Besar, who will be named after Hari Raya Aidilfitri will hail from the existing ruling party, PKR.
State Islamic Affairs, Education, Human Capital Development, Science, Technology and Innovation committee chairman Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin said potential candidates will come from PKR since the party has been in power in Selangor for more than a decade.
Shaharuddin, who is also Seri Setia assemblyman is one of the two names that have been touted as possible replacements for the Selangor MB post after Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali opted to join the Federal Government's cabinet as the Economic Affairs Minister.
The other name allegedly in the list is Sungai Tua assemblyman Amiruddin Shari.
"I do not know (who are the potential candidates or if I am one of them). These are mere gossips, speculations… and there are many versions of it.
"A couple of names have cropped up, but it all depends on the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who will decide on the post.
"Suggestions of potential candidates will come from PKR and a discussion will be held among Pakatan Harapan’s top leadership before the names of possible Selangor MB candidates are presented to the Sultan," he told reporters when met after the Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE) aid presentation at the Masjid Nurul Amin in Kampung Delek, Klang.
Asked if the potential candidates will be from PKR, Shaharuddin said: "Yes, because PKR has been ruling the state government for the last 10 years. So, I think (the names) will come from PKR. But it needs to be discussed in Pakatan Harapan."
He, however, said if given the mandate to perform his duties as the MB, he will accept it.
The NSTP, had on May 19 quoted sources as saying that Amirudin is regarded as the front-runner for the Selangor MB post to take over from Mohamed Azmin.
Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan UiTM Rector, Prof Dr Nasrudin Mohammed opined that Shaharuddin is technically qualified and deserved to be among the front runners for the position.
Shaharuddin is also described as being a close associate of Mohamed Azmin and a trusted ally.