KUANTAN: Pahang's Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) sprang a surprise today claiming that Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail had "agreed" to the appointment of an assemblyman particularly from Amanah in the near future.
While it remains unclear how the process will take place, it is likely that Amanah was referring to an amendment by the Pahang legislative assembly to appoint a maximum of five assemblymen without going through the election process in 2020.
State Amanah Youth chief Wan Rahmat Wan Hashim, in a statement, said the party welcomed Wan Rosdy's announcement to elect an assemblyman, particularly from Amanah to the state legislative assembly soon.
"The announcement clearly displays strong cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties in administering the Pahang government. This will ensure stability and strengthen the state government's unity in line with the Federal government.
"The upcoming appointment will allow Amanah to play a more vital role in providing services to the people and contribute ideas for the development and prosperity of the state.
"Pahang Amanah youth would like to convey our well wishes to the soon to be appointed elected representative to carry out the duties with dedication for the state. We will continue to assist on the ground in championing issues affecting the people," he said, adding that Amanah youth solidly supported Wan Rosdy's leadership in helming the state.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Wan Rahmat said Wan Rosdy had made the announcement to elect an assemblyman from Amanah during a Chinese New Year open house organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat at the Kuantan City Council Complex here on Feb 17.
"My statement on the appointment is not pre-empting the menteri besar (Wan Rosdy) as he mentioned about it in his speech at the open house celebration where a huge crowd was present… it was not a closed door event.
"He (Wan Rosdy) did mention an assemblyman from Amanah will be appointed and he was referring to the five elected assemblyman (in Pahang)," he said, adding Pahang PH chairman Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is also the Selangor menteri besar, was also present during the event.
When asked about the potential candidate and time frame, Wan Rahmat declined to comment saying that it would be announced by the menteri besar.
New Straits Times has reached out to the menteri besar's office for comments.
In Nov 2020, the Pahang legislative assembly approved the motion to amend the state constitution to appoint five assemblymen without going through the election process.
The five assemblymen can participate in debates and have the right to vote but are not eligible to be elected as menteri besar or state executive council members.