Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was among the ministers who are due to be sworn in today, but previously expressed surprise at his selection for a Cabinet post. — Picture by Zuraneeza Zulkifli

PETALING JAYA, May 21 — The Sultan of Selangor has consented to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali leaving the post for the federal Cabinet, but decreed that the latter must remain until a successor is picked, according to the state Ruler’s private secretary.

Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah also required Azmin, who will be economic affairs minister, to provide names of suitable candidates for the Sultan’s consideration.

“He will remain as mentri besar until the transition of power to the new mentri besar can take place smoothly and systematically.

“The process is in line with the Selangor State Constitution 1959 and the Federal Constitution,” he said in a statement today.

Munir said Sultan Sharafuddin had granted an audience with Azmin yesterday to discuss matters pertaining to Azmin’s decision to helm the new federal ministry after receiving confirmation from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said Azmin will relinquish all his duties as mentri besar once the Sultan makes his selection.

After his meeting with Dr Mahathir during the weekend, Azmin said he would review all mega projects approved under former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to ensure there were no wrongdoings or misappropriation.

Azmin is among the ministers who are due to be sworn in today, but had previously expressed surprise at his selection for a Cabinet post.

While it was initially speculated that he would leave Shah Alam for Putrajaya, Azmin was one of the first to be sworn in as mentri besar following the 14th general election.

* Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported that Datuk Lela Bakti was Sultan of Selangor’s private secretary. It has since been corrected.