The question of having a by-election in Bukit Lanjan following assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong's offer to quit the post does not arise for now.

Speaking at a press conference in Subang, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali today said the state Speaker Teng Chang Khim has yet to receive Wong’s resignation letter even though she had offered to resign following a nude photographs controversy last week.

"Resigning and offering to resign are two different things. In this case, Wong offered to resign, but she has not resigned. So the question of a by-election in Bukit Lanjan does not arise," said Azmin.

"Besides, the Speaker has no power to decide whether or not the seat is vacant. The Election Commission should just focus on the two up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau."

Azmin said although the party "respected" Wong's decision to quit her post at the state assembly and as executive councillor, it would wait for the Selangor menteri besar to seek guidance from Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah before making any decisions.

"That is why she (Wong) was given some time for a vacation until the menteri besar seeks the sultan's consultation. The sultan will be away until Feb 25 and a decision can only be made after he returns," he said.

The EC had recently said that it was prepared to hold simultaneous by-elections for the three 'Bukit' seats, including Bukit Lanjan, if it is vacated.

Chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the commission could consider holding simultaneous by elections for the Bukit Lanjan state seat (Selangor), Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat (Perak) and Bukit Selambau state seat (Kedah) in April.

"There is a possibility (of simultaneous polls) if there is a vacancy (in Bukit Lanjan)... but until now, the seat has not been vacated," he was quoted as saying.

The EC has already decided to hold simultaneous by-elections for the Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau seats on April 7.

MACC has no right to implicate Abdul Khalid

Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leaders also today joined in the chorus of voices speaking out against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), saying it had indeed acted beyond its powers when it publicly announced that the Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim could be charged on abuse of power allegations.

Yesterday, the MACC said that it had ‘strong evidence’ of Abdul Khalid’s alleged wrongdoing in the maintenance of a luxury car and the purchase of sacrificial cows.

Azmin said only the Attorney-General’s chambers could make such a decision.

"MACC has no right to publicly announce the results of its investigations before a final decision is made by the AG’s chambers.

"This clearly shows that the MACC has acted beyond its powers and this could be seen as an attempt to influence the AG’s decision to," he added.

Azmin, who is also Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyperson, claimed that it was an "assault planned by Umno and Barisan Nasional to threaten the Pakatan-ruled administration in Selangor".

"We believe that Pakatan’s leadership will be the main target of Umno and BN lies in the coming months," said Azmin, adding that under the MACC Act, the body had no power to prosecute as its powers were limited to conducting investigations.

"When we first debated the MACC bill during the previous Parliament sitting, we had suggested that it should be empowered to prosecute by itself, but they (government) did not agree, saying that the AG’s chambers should decide on whether to prosecute or not."

MB has explained

On Wednesday, Abdul Khalid had filed two suits against former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo regarding the 'car and cows' allegations which appeared in the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia.

Mohd Khir had alleged that the current menteri besar had purchased a Lexus as his official car.

However, Abdul Khalid later clarified that the car was his own but he was also using it for official purposes.

Following this, an anti-corruption watchdog filed a MACC report accusing Abdul Khalid of using public funds to maintain the vehicle.

On the cattle issue, Abdul Khalid was accused of misusing RM110,400 of state funds for the purchase of cattle for his Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency in conjunction with Hari Raya Korban celebrations.

The menteri besar later explained that the arrangements to purchase and donate the cattle were made solely by the state agency, Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) and the donor companies, without his or his officers' involvement.

Azmin defended Abdul Khalid, saying the matter has been clarified. "Abdul Khalid had filed two lawsuits against Mohd Khir and he has clarified these allegations and we believe he is innocent. MACC which is supposed to be an independent and responsible body, clearly does not act like one," he said.

Member of Parliament for Seputeh and state assemblyperson for Kinrara, Teresa Kok believes the MACC has acted in favour of Mohd Khir because he is contesting for the UmnoYouth chief’s post in the upcoming party polls in March.

"This goes to show that MACC is not free and it acted on petty issues such as the car and cows allegations. It also has become the BN's tool to discriminate against Pakatan leaders".

Azmin also today slammed the newly-minted commission for saying that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had "affected investigations" carried out by MACC when he made a revelation on bribe attempts in Parliament recently.

"The commission has been delaying its investigation on the case. Besides, what Anwar said in the House is the truth as it is not something that can be said on the streets. The House is the highest platform in our constitution," said Azmin.