Selangor MB Azmin thanks Sultan for consent over ministerial post





SHAH ALAM, May 21 (Bernama) -- Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali today expressed his appreciation for the consent of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, to enable him to play a bigger role at the federal level as the Minister of Economic Affairs.

He said the consent of the Sultan was given after he had conveyed the explanation of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the scope of work and jurisdiction of the new ministry.

"I wish to express my gratitude for the advice and guidance given by Tuanku (His Royal Highness) during the period I served as the head of the Selangor state administration.

"Tuanku's advice and guidance reinforced my confidence and enabled me to drive Selangor to a higher level of success," he said in a statement.

The Sultan's private secretary, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, in a statement earlier today, said His Royal Highness had consented to Mohamed Azmin assuming the post of Minister of Economic Affairs.

The statement said that Mohamed Azmin, however, would remain as Selangor Menteri Besar for the time being, until an orderly transfer of power to the new menteri besar was completed.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Azmin said he was deeply touched by the requests made by the people of Selangor on his social media platforms for him to continue leading the state.

"It was hard for me to leave the people of Selangor, but I realise that I have a bigger role to play for the country and the Malaysian people as a whole," he said.

Mohamed Azmin, who is scheduled to join the other Cabinet ministers to take their oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at the Istana Negara later today, also gave assurance to foreign and local investors that the Pakatan Harapan government was an investor-friendly government that holds on to the principles of transparency and accountability.

Last Friday, Dr Mahathir announced the list of 14 Cabinet ministers in his administration, including Mohamed Azmin as Minister of Economic Affairs.

Mohamed Azmin, 54, who is also PKR deputy president, was sworn in as Selangor Menteri Besar for the second term on May 11 after the PH managed to retain power in the state in the 14th General Election on May 9.

-- BERNAMA