Sultan to return earlier as state reels from crisis

The Selangor sultan, who is currently in Budapest, would be returning home four days earlier than scheduled.

State government sources told Malaysiakini that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah would be touching down in Malaysia on Saturday.

It was previously reported that he would be returning on Aug 27.

The current political imbroglio in the state now hinges on the sultan’s decision.

It remains to be seen whether the ruler would assent to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail becoming menteri besar or if he would dissolve the state assembly, paving the way for a snap polls.

After PAS decided to back Wan Azizah, current Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had sought to meet the sultan in Budapest to discuss the next step.

However, the sultan said there was no need for this.

Previously, Khalid, whose position is on tenterhooks, said the sultan advised him not to make any decision until the latter returns.

Pakatan had agreed to back Wan Azizah as MB to replace Khalid after the Pakatan leadership council endorsed her.

This follows her deputy and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyperson, Azmin Ali, declining to be nominated together with her, as proposed by PAS.