Azmin defends decision to maintain PAS's three executive councillors

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix) has defended his decision to maintain PAS's three executive councillors in the state assembly, despite calls to replace them following the break-up of Pakatan Rakyat.
He said everyone should respect the democratic process and mandate given by the people of Selangor when they voted in the 13th General Election.
"At that time, it was the biggest majority we had, 15 seats for PAS, 15 for DAP, and 14 for PKR. The mandate was given for us to deliver. It's not my choice, it's the rakyat's.
"I hope no one will make any statement that would create tension to the existing unity that we have," he told reporters after attending a Freedom of Information forum at the SUK Building, here, today.
Azmin was commenting on Selangor Amanah deputy chief Saari Sungib's remarks at a forum on Sunday that the former was playing dangerous games by using "palace politics" to justify keeping PAS in the state government.
The PKR deputy president reminded Saari that in 2013, Amanah was not yet formed, and despite having established the new Pakatan Harapan coalition since, PKR's relationship with PAS has to go on.
Azmin also stressed the need to defend the state's monarchy, and that it was vital the palace was not brought into discussion on the same breath as politics.
Earlier today, he had also tweeted: "@SaariSungib are you trying to be a beggar for an Exco post."
Later, Saari told reporters that neither he nor any Amanah members were seeking for an executive council seat, but that the party needed a bigger say in the running of the state.
He also believed that the tweet was not posted by Azmin, but may have been hacked by a third party.