AZIZAH AS MB: Still a long way to go, snap polls a real possibility - Rafizi

SHAH ALAM - PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli warned there was still a 'long way to go' before the Selangor crisis was resolved, and party boss Dr Wan Azizah duly installed as the chief minister or Mentri Besar to replace scandal-tainted incumbent Khalid Ibrahim.

His words are bound to disappoint supporters of Azizah, who have pinned their hopes on a speedy resolution to the political and constitutional crisis overtaking the state. They are hoping that the Sultan will confirm Azizah as the new MB, a landmark move that will make her the country's first woman chief minister.

"It is still a long way to go. We have to pass through certain stages,we  are not sure yet if Khalid Ibrahim will push for dissolution," Rafizi told Malaysia Chronicle on the sidelines of the PKR annual congress.

"First, we have to wait for the sultan to summon Azizah although she has clear majority but the Sultan is going to have an audience with the previous MB so we are not sure if he will dissolve or not."

Announcement next week

Nonetheless, Rafizi - who is the architect of the 'Kajang Move' set in motion to replace Khalid with Azizah - expects a decision from the Palace by next week.

"It is difficult to say or pre-empt anything until next week. At the end of the day, the Sultan will take the views of all parties and decide, so it is difficult to pre-empt or pre-judge," he said.

Tough fight - non-Malay votes intact, Malay votes in question

When asked his opinion on how the chips would fall in the even of snap polls, Rafizi was confident Pakatan would still have the edge.

"It's going to be difficult but Pakatan will still have the edge. I think in some places it is going to be Umno which has the advantage so it will be a tough fight," Rafizi said.

"DAP has a good chance to win almost all or all their seats. It is more difficult for PKR and PAS. The non-Malay votes are intact but we will have to work harder to campaign for the Malay votes."

Sultan's prerogative

When asked if the Pakatan was being held ransom by Khalid, who was sacked by PKR amid corruption allegations, Rafizi was tactful in his response.

"We have to be prepared for that possibility, that is one of the strong possibilities," the Pandan MP said.

He also declined to rate the chances of the Sultan endorsing Azizah, who despite commanding the support of 43 out of 56 state assemblymen faces prejudice from the conservative Muslim community as well as political sabotage from Prime Minister Najib Razak's Umno party.

"It is the prerogative of Sultan so we have to wait for the audience (for Azizah) first," Rafizi said. - Malaysia Chronicle