Sijangkang rep appointed to Selangor exco, replaces Hasan
UPDATED @ 04:50:11 PM 18-01-2012
Khalid (right) congratulates Yunus after the swearing in ceremony, with PAS Selangor Commissioner Rani Osman looking on in Shah Alam January 18 2012. — Picture by Shannon Teoh SHAH ALAM, Jan 18 — The Selangor ruler has sworn in Sijangkang assemblyman Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi to the state executive council to replace sacked PAS colleague Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.
Dr Yunus took his oath of office at the sultan’s palace in Shah Alam this morning, witnessed by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and other executive councillors.
Selangor PAS had recommended state chief Dr Abd Rani Osman for the Islamic affairs portfolio vacated by Hasan.
Selangor PAS secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman had denied yesterday rumours of a rift with the palace likely to scupper Dr Abd Rani’s candidacy to succeed Hasan.
Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia had reported yesterday that Dr Abd Rani was facing difficulties in gaining the Sultan’s agreement for his appointment due to issues such as getting state authorisation to teach Islam and his criticism over the distribution of the Selangor Islamic Council’s (MAIS) zakat aid to the Perlis government.
In Malaysia, those who wish to teach Islam must get proper authorisation or “tauliah” from the individual state authorities.
“We (Selangor PAS) had unanimously nominated the commissioner to replace Dr Hasan and so far we see no problems with our suggestion.
“We only gave one name to the PAS central leadership, but we have yet to get the latest update from them or the mentri besar,” Khairuddin had told The Malaysian Insider.
Meru assemblyman Dr Abd Rani is known to be the state Islamist party’s preferred candidate to replace Hasan who was sacked from PAS on January 8 for repeatedly going against the party’s stand.
Hasan, who was in charge of the state’s Islamic affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities, also lost his right to represent PAS in the state government.
The former Selangor PAS chief has said he will not appeal his surprise removal from the party to the Majlis Syura Ulama (religious scholars’ council) despite having 30 days until February 7.
Hasan remains the assemblyman for Gombak Setia but is currently unaffiliated.
Dr Yunus was the assistant executive councillor for Education, Higher Learning and Human Capital Development as well as Youth and Sports.
Dr Abd Rani was also present at the swearing in this morning.
