PKR has denied media reports that the party would nominate its deputy president Azmin Ali for Selangor menteri besar if the palace rejects its president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's nomination.

Its secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (right) said the party's central leadership council only made two decisions yesterday, one of which is to reaffirm its support for Wan Azizah's nomination for the top post.

The other decision was to discuss and decide on Kelantan PKR's request to contest in the Pengkalan Kubor by-election together with PAS' central leadership in a meeting to be held soon.

"Astro Awani's ongoing practice of reporting the Selangor menteri besar issue without quoting official PKR sources is much regretted," Saifuddin said in a statement today.

The meeting yesterday was the first meeting of PKR’s new central leadership council following its party elections.

Earlier today, Astro Awani quoted unnamed PKR insiders claiming that if Wan Azizah’s nomination is rejected, a special central leadership committee meeting would be called immediately, where Azmin would be nominated.

"As soon as the palace gives its answer, Azmin would be named as an alternative menteri besar (candidate).

"It would be made official as soon as the special meeting is held," the source reportedly said.

Saifuddin also denied New Straits Times' report titled 'Azmin named MB candidate?' which quoted sources "close to PKR and DAP" leaders that Azmin is also nominated.

"NST's report which is not based on official PKR sources is irresponsible and much regretted," he said in a separate statement.

On the same issue, the Selangor menteri besar said he was informed that PKR, DAP and PAS had submitted the names of candidates for the MB post to the palace.
 
"The palace will give a response to the suggestions. I believe the next process will proceed from now on.
 
"Until the process is completed, the administration of the state will go on as usual," Khalid Ibrahim (left) told reporters after the state executive council meeting today.
 
He also believed that he should not be involved in the process since he had vested interests in the matter.