All must agree that a woman can be Menteri Besar

GEORGE TOWN: The crucial issue in the Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) crisis is whether Pakatan Rakyat (Pakatan) member parties object to Dr. Wan Azizah because she is a woman.

They must state unequivocally whether they support her candidacy or not.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said this is the crucial question to be tackled and not whether Pakatan is going to discuss a possible break-up.

Guan Eng was responding to a question at a press conference on whether the meeting on August 10 is to discuss a possible split in Pakatan.

Guan Eng, who is Penang Chief Minister, said the main issue is the objection against Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) proposal of its president Dr. Wan Azizah to replace Khalid Ibahim as Selangor MB.

“Every political party should come out and state their stand that they have no problem with a woman being a Menteri Besar,” he said adding that is the first hurdle to clear.

PR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurances that there will be no break-up in Pakatan even though PAS has refused to support Khalid’s removal.

Guan Eng added the gender issue should be addressed first before the pros and cons of changing the Selangor MB is considered.

“Let us not be distracted by the proposal to change the Menteri Besar.

“The main issue that has to be addressed, as pointed out by Anwar Ibrahim is the objection against a woman being appointed to the post.

“It is important that all political parties come out and clear this gender hurdle, otherwise we leave the impression that Dr. Wan Azizah is disqualified from becoming the Menteri Besar merely because she is a woman,” he told a press conference at his Komtar office today.

Guan Eng was commenting on the crisis in Selangor arising out of PKR’s move to replace incumbent MB Khalid Ibrahim with Dr. Wan Azizah, who is also Anwar’s wife.

PAS leaders have objected to the change.

A legal adviser to Umno Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun went a step further saying Dr. Wan Azizah could not be appointed to the post because she had her monthly menses and could not carry out the religious duties of an MB.

Guan Eng also warned of a potential break-up of the coalition if a component party could simply disregard an agreement reached among all the parties.