Selangor PAS Youth has demanded a thorough explanation from PKR on Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation as the Kajang state assemblyman.

It viewed the move, which will trigger a by-election, as unreasonable, waste of public money and is akin to betraying the trust of the people who elected Lee.

Lee won the Kajang state seat with a 6,824 majority in the 13th general election.

“We are disappointed with the move which we see as an act of betrayal to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners,” said the youth wing Chief Syarhan Humaizi Abdul Halim in a press statement.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that he will stand as PKR candidate in Kajang in an announcement made by Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday.

Anwar’s candidacy comes amidst speculation that he is tipped to take over as Menteri Besar if he wins, which will resolve a feud between PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali and Khalid, which has escalated recently.

PAS Youth added that internal party problems should not be resolved at the expense of the rakyat’s money, adding that such a move will put the coalition in a bad light.

“We want to remind the PKR that Selangor is jointly governed by PAS, PKR and DAP. It’s not stated anywhere that Selangor is a PKR state. Such a move will further muddy the Pakatan Rakyat political situation and gives a negative image to the rakyat.”

It has also threatened to boycott the by-election if they do not receive a written explanation from PKR on the matter.

Meanwhile, PAS Selangor said that the Kajang seat is PKR’s internal issue and will stay clear of the by-election as long it has nothing to do with the Selangor Menteri Besar position.

“As long as the Selangor MB post is not involved, PAS will just be observers,” said Selangor PAS secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman in a press statement.

Should the seat be vacated, Pas Selangor said it will send a list of suitable candidates for the job, which includes state party commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad.