PETALING JAYA: PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli (pic) has urged Selangor PKR assemblymen to decline their nominations for the post of mentri besar, in what appears to be a reference to PAS’ decision to name more than one candidate.

In a statement, the Pandan MP said that PKR state legislators should declare their unwavering support for party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in respect of the party’s decision to name her as the sole candidate.

He said this after Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad issued a statement declining his nomination as the alternative candidate by PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kayat.

“The assemblymen should follow Nik Nazmi’s example by declaring support to Dr Wan Azizah as the next mentri besar and withdraw themselves from being nominated in respect of the party’s stand, which is also Pakatan Rakyat’s consensus,” he said.

Nik Nazmi, who is also the state deputy speaker, has earlier declined Suhaizan’s suggestion, reiterating that his support is for Dr Wan Azizah to take over the office.

“I appreciate Suhaizan’s suggestion to nominate me as the new MB, but I would like to stress that I fully support the candidacy of our president as the new mentri besar,” he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said the party would submit more than one name to Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for consideration, but maintained that the MB post belongs to PKR.

Pakatan have until Sept 3 to submit the names to the palace, but PKR and DAP are adamant on their choice of a single candidate.

-thestar