Foul!

As published in Sunday Mail today. By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my SHAH ALAM — The Selangor palace is left amused over Azmin Ali's supposed role in the return of the 321 seized bibles to the Christian community on Friday. Sources, who were in the thick of the negotiations between the palace and religious groups, instead questioned the Selangor menteri besar's part in the episode, adding he only sought an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah during the weekly meetings. They also stressed politicians were not included in the conversations but were "kept updated". "What meetings ... other than his weekly menghadap (seeking of audience) sessions?" said a source close to the palace when asked if Azmin had attended any meetings during the negotiations. "Azmin did not play any role other than responding to queries from the media about the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex), water and bible issues." "It is amaz...

As published in Malay Mail today Selangor palace played big role in return of bibles, say insiders By Haresh Deol  haresh@mmail.com.my KLANG — The Selangor palace played an instrumental role in ensuring the return of 321 bibles seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) during a raid by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) on Jan 2, sources said. Insiders, who were in the thick of the negotiations involving the palace, Jais, Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) and Christian groups, said talks were held months earlier, even during Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim's tenure as menteri besar but stalled because of the power struggle in the state.  Khalid was later replaced by Azmin Ali as menteri besar. “There were many meetings, rounds of negotiations … all done under wraps so as to not offend any party. It was supposed to be concluded earlier but the menteri besar crisis delayed it as the palace was preoccupied," the source ...

As published in Malay Mail today. PETALING JAYA — PKR dispelled talk that the Selangor palace was not in favour of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to run the state. “What evidence does anyone have to claim Tuanku is not in favour of Dr Wan Azizah?” asked PKR supreme council member R. Sivaras. Sivarasa refused to be drawn into any speculation whether Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had not agreed to Dr Wan Azizah being menteri besar.  Pakatan would have to propose another candidate if that occurred. “We will cross the bridge when we get there. But let’s be clear about the duties of the Sultan as per the Selangor constitution. Tuanku has discretionary powers regarding the appointment of the menteri besar and agreeing or disagreeing to dissolving the state assembly,” he said. The Subang MP, a lawyer by profession who is in the thick of the Selangor episode, clarified there was no need for any state executive council member to step down as they w...

As published in Malay Mail today SHAH ALAM — The Selangor palace has yet to receive any request for a change in menteri besar and other potential candidates including Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, revealed sources close to the palace.   “The palace is not amused with certain individuals dropping names, claiming to have received Tuanku’s consent (to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim with Wan Azizah).    “In fact, there has not been any official request to the palace for a new menteri besar.”   Another source said PKR was unable to name any other candidate besides Wan Azizah for the hot seat.   The sources revealed Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was “unhappy” with the turmoil in the state as PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yesterday revealed Khalid was allegedly involved in dubious   business dealings.   Khalid immediately responded by challenging Saifuddin and the party to lodge reports and provide...

Fateh Iskandar , Subahan Kamal , Mohd Shamsudin Lias and Fuad Hassan . These are the four names that have been apparently "listed" for the Menteri Besar's post if Barisan Nasional (BN) takes over from Pakatan in Selangor in the upcoming 13th General Election. Party insiders reveal the names are in line with BN's vision of having technocrats as the face of the party and the people. Subahan, however, downplayed the list saying there is a bigger battle ahead - recapturing Selangor. Read the 'Fab Four in MB race' in today's The Malay Mail. HD says: It gets interesting.