PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali will seek the Selangor sultan’s consent tomorrow to step down as menteri besar, so as to take up his cabinet appointment as economic affairs minister, said a party source.

Azmin was named to the post earlier today by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He will have an audience with Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to inform the ruler about his cabinet appointment, and to seek the sultan’s consent on relinquishing the menteri besar’s post.

“If the sultan gives his consent, Azmin will step down as menteri besar,” said the source.

Azmin’s audience with the ruler tomorrow was confirmed by Selangor Menteri Besar’s Office strategic communications director Yin Shao Loong.

Yin said Azmin will also meet Dr Mahathir.

“Azmin will meet the prime minister as soon as possible, and then have an audience with His Highness the sultan of Selangor to determine his position as to whether he will continue to lead Selangor or assist the federal administration as economic affairs minister,” he said in a statement tonight.

The PKR source also told Malaysia Decides that if the sultan releases Azmin from the menteri besar’s post, Azmin will then meet the state Pakatan Harapan, which he chairs, to discuss his replacement.

Azmin, who was sworn in as menteri besar last Friday, will have to submit to the ruler the names of candidates for the post. – May 18, 2018.