The polemic on who would likely fill the post of Selangor menteri besar continues to rage as the leadership of the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, PKR, PAS and DAP contemptuously debate the matter, with no solution in sight.

The results of the 13th General Election saw PAS and DAP each winning 15 seats in the state legislative assembly, PKR 14 seats while Barisan Nasional took 12 seats and if seen individually, no party has the majority to rule.

However, in the absence of a majority, PAS, PKR and DAP need to form a coalition government in Selangor, with the major question on who the next Selangor menteri besar going unanswered. Are the three parties ready to face even bigger challenges after this?

Malaysian Council of Former Elected Representatives (Mubarak) president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman said the Selangor menteri besar polemic should not have protracted into a political issue as it could affect the wellbeing of the state.

He said the issue had become a political game between PKR and PAS and with the open support of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar, it had become a stumbling block for PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali who has been yearning for the post.

Besides Abdul Hadi, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also pledged support for Abdul Khalid which further eroded Mohamed Azmin's chance.

"There is no need to playing games, the leaders need to sit together to thrash it out," Abdul Aziz told Bernama in an interview.

The primary condition to become Selangor menteri besar is based on the Selangor State Constitution 1959 in which the candidate must be of Malay origin and a Muslim.

Last Thursday, Abdul Hadi stated PAS' support for Abdul Khalid to continue as Selangor menteri besar. Earlier however, Selangor PAS Commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman said he was ready to fill the hot seat.

The political game between PKR and PAS continued yesterday when Selangor PAS Youth, through its deputy chief, Mohd Sany Hamzan, stressed there was no agreement the post must be allocated to PKR, if the three PR component parties were to rule the state.

In-fighting in PKR on the issue worsened yesterday when Mohamed Azmin questioned a letter sent by its president, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, to Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on the menteri besar candidate.

Mohamed Azmin, who is also state assemblyman for Bukit Antarabangsa, said the letter was sent by Wan Azizah yesterday, without any discussion or consensus of the party's state assemblymen.

Abdul Aziz said, whether Mohamed Azmin, Abdul Khalid or anyone who received the consent of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the menteri besar had to overcome various problems arising from the failure of the previous coalition government of PAS, PKR and DAP.

He said as Abdul Khalid had failed to settle many basic issues for the people in Selangor, including water and rubbish issues, apart from his refusal to cooperate with the federal government on the water issue, he (Abdul Khalid) should not be re-appointed menteri besar.

"They cannot even agree on a basic issue, such as the Selangor menteri besar post. Do not play excessive politics as the party which suffers are the people (of Selangor), not them," he noted.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described the opposition leaders' refusal to accept the results of the 13th General Election (GE13) which were in favour of the Barisan Nasional (BN), as the greatest hypocrisy.

The prime minister said on the other hand, the opposition could accept the results that benefited them despite claiming the polls were tainted by fraud.

"If the electoral system was tainted, hit by fraud, why have the swearing-in in Penang and Kelantan, and engage in a tussle (as to who should be sworn-in as menteri besar) in Selangor? Why accept (the results) in Permatang Pauh, Gelang Patah?

"The same system is used at the state and parliamentary levels. If the results benefited them, (they) accepted the results. If they were in BN's favour, they objected them. This is the greatest hypocrisy," he said at Umno's 67th anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here Saturday night.

Najib said, as an advocator of democracy, the opposition should accept the people's decision based on the system adopted under the Constitution.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, said before GE13, he had stated that he was ready to accept the decision of the people.

"They (the opposition) talked a lot about democracy, they had said that the people would determine everything...after the election, they refused to accept the results of the parliamentary democracy decided by the people," he said.

He also hit out at the opposition for giving various excuses for the defeat, like alleging that the BN brought in Bangladeshis as voters, and questioning the use of the indelible ink which they were the ones who had demanded for its use, in the first place.

"They resorted to lies on social media, spread stories by word of mouth to the extent that even intellectuals were taken in. This is the bad way of the opposition," he said.

The prime minister said, instead of spreading lies on social media, they (the opposition) should have taken their claims to the court.

Najib also chided the opposition leader for putting the people in difficult situations and tarnishing the country's image after failing to take over the reins of the government, since the last four general elections.

"So, if you want to do lecturing abroad, go ahead. Why wait any longer. You have failed four times, why continue to hold your position?

"Is this what is called practising democracy? Is this the fight for a fair and open system? That there is no corruption and nepotism (in your party)?

"But today, the (PKR) deputy president claimed that there is nepotism in the party. This is double standard," he said.

Umno is not a racist party because it has always given justice to the people regardless of their race, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said since its inception 67 years ago, Umno had accepted non-Malays as partners and would continue to defend moderate, fair and equitable policies for all.

"This is the best Umno formula (justice for all), not an extreme formula to garner votes, but in the end it will destroy the beloved Malaysia.

"We will not allow such politics... opportunistic politics. We will not allow it because in the end it will destroy everything that has been built by Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said at the 67th Umno anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here Saturday night.

Present were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Umno vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and BN component party presidents were also present.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said the BN would have obtained a bigger majority had the opposition refrained from harping on racial sentiments in the just concluded 13th general election.

The prime minister said Umno's achievement in GE13 was better than in 2008 despite being attacked vociferously through slanders and lies by the opposition.

"But, in the end the people decided that they wanted stability, continuity, and the development agenda and transformation brought by BN to continue," he said.

The BN won the mandate by clinching 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats while Pakatan gained 88 seats.

In the 2008 general election, Umno won 79 parliamentary seats.

In conjunction with Umno's 67th anniversary celebration, Najib urged Umno leaders and members to conduct muhasabah (acknowledgement within oneself of one's weaknesses, misdeeds) and insaf (righteousness) by making amends to one's shortcomings to regain the support of the people in next general election.

"To those who had supported us, we say thank you. To those who did not vote us, we must ask ourselves how can we get their support in the next general election.

"Do not be arrogant and cocky. We are successful because the people love, support and believe us. Let's remind ourselves all the time, no matter whether one is a national or grassroots leader that eventually the people who will determine Umno's survival and dominance," he said.

The prime minister reminded Umno members at all levels to implement all the pledges laid out in the manifesto and be friendly with the people to ensure that the sacred Malay party could achieve greater success in five years' time.

"Let us all work as a team in a united and cohesive bond to reassure the people that we will ensure that Malaysia becomes more peaceful, prosperous and successful under Umno and BN's leadership," he said.

Najib described Umno as the most successful political institution as it continued to govern Malaysia with other BN component parties through 67 years of partnership.

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's call to party members to acknowledge and redress their weaknesses has received support from Umno's top leaders.

Umno needs to undergo a more comprehensive and radical political transformation process in the face of rising challenges over the years, said Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said for Umno to become a more dynamic, inclusive, visionary and sacred Malay-Muslim political party, it should be more universal in its struggle without forgetting the objectives of its establishment.
Hence, he said middle class and young Malays whose outlook and thoughts were different from that of the earlier generation, who laid the foundation and shaped Umno's direction, should be reached and engaged.
"The middle class Malays, who are urban dwellers, are the pillar of Umno's new strength. By getting closer to them, the party will get an injection of new spirit and ideas to further strengthen its struggle through the passage of time," he said in a message in conjunction with Umno's 67th anniversary celebration here, Saturday night.
Muhyiddin said to ensure that the rejuvenation process in Umno would evolve faster, more opportunities should be provided to the younger generation, professionals and middle class Malays to be more active in the party.
He said not only their entry into Umno should be welcomed, they should also be prepared for bigger roles and eventually lead the party in future.
Muhyiddin also stressed the need for Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to spearhead a larger process of change to ensure they were accepted by all races in the country.
"They need to be more sensitive in building a more cohesive party and strategic cooperation with Umno to ensure that the BN would get stronger support from the people.
As BN director of election, Muhyiddin registered his appreciation to all Barisan machinery and party supporters, who worked tirelessly to ensure Umno and BN's victory in the just concluded 13th general election (GE13).
He said in GE13, Umno's position became much stronger as it increased the number of parliamentary seats to 79 and state seats to 241 compared to 79 and 238 seats respectively in the 2008 general election, apart from wresting Kedah from the opposition.
Muhyiddin said the next five years before the 14th general election would be crucial for Umno to determine its survival as a sacred Malay party.
"In this short space of time, each level of the Umno leadership at the national, state, divisions and branches have to do self-reflection and take corrective actions to ensure that Umno will continue to uphold its struggle to protect the religion, people and our beloved country," he said.
He also urged Umno members to remain loyal to and support Najib to enable him to lead the country and the party.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Umno is capable of creating more success stories for Malaysia in the future with the presence of continuous support from the people,
In conjunction with Umno's 67th anniversary Saturday, Najib, who is Umno president, also expressed hope that the party would continue fighting for the best interests of the race, religion and nation.
He said he was also grateful as Umno managed to win 88 parliamentary seats in the 13th general election compared to only 79 in the 12th polls in 2008.
"I'm confident that the increase in the support shows that the people appreciate the deeds and sacrifices made by Umno all this years," he said in his latest post on Facebook.
Najib said Umno's position as a political party was also getting stronger.
"Insya-Allah (God willing), we will strive to ensure that Umno will continue raising the living standard of the Malays and helping all Malaysians in need," he said.

Fresh from its 13th general election (GE13) victory, Umno celebrates its 67th anniversary on Saturday.
The celebration begins with the Maghrib prayer followed by the Yassin recital, and Tahlil and thanksgiving prayers at Surau Ar-Rahman, the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here Saturday night.
After the Isyak prayer, Umno leaders will attend the raising of the Umno flag ceremony accompanied by the rendition of the Umno song, 'Bersatu, Bersetia, Berkhidmat' (united, loyal, of service) at Dewan Merdeka, PWTC.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak is scheduled to deliver his speech at the ceremony.
BN component party leaders are also expected to attend the ceremony.
In GE13, the BN returned to power with a simple majority by winning 133 out of 222 parliamentary seats at stake to govern the country for an unbroken continuous period of 55 years.
(BN was previously known as Perikatan or Alliance before the coalition was enlarged).
Umno contributed 88 of the seats, nine more than GE12.
Founded by Datuk Onn Jaafar, who was the first Umno president, Umno was set up on May 11, 1946 to protest the Malayan Union mooted by the British government.