Dr Khir: PKR plotting the downfall of Selangor MB

Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo insists Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) stalwarts are plotting the downfall of Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Abdul Khalid’s predecessor told The Malay Mail the decision to drop the MB as Selangor PKR chief and replace him with with PKR vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali was a "strategy" to weaken Abdul Khalid’s position in the party.

"That's ridiculous," Mohd Khir scoffed at PKR’s explanation that Azmin's appointment was to allow Abdul Khalid to focus better on his duties as MB.

"It is easier to function as the State party chief when you are the menteri besar.

"This is all a strategy by PKR to weaken Abdul Khalid’s position in the party. They are slowly forcing him out of the party, until he voluntarily steps down," said Dr Khir, who is also the Sungai Panjang State assemblyman.

With Azmin’s appointment, Dr Khir said the State was now headed by three "captains".

"You have (PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim as the economic adviser in charge of the economy. Now, you have Azmin in charge of politics. That reduces Abdul Khalid to 'administrative' work.

"You see now how the party is trying to weaken Abdul Khalid’s influence?"

Dr Khir said it had always been Azmin’s ambition to become menteri besar.

"I know he wants to be the MB. But I don’t think you can give the MB’s post to Azmin. He’s only a young boy."

Another BN elected representative from Selangor also agreed a State head should also be the State party chief.

Hulu Selangor MP P. Kamalanathan told The Paper That Cares it was more difficult now as there was more than one head in the State leadership.

“I think it would be easier for Abdul Khalid to perform if he held both posts,” said the MIC information chief.

“Khalid is also an elected representative at both the Federal and State levels. He is the Ijok State assemblyman as well the Bandar Tun Razak MP,” said Kamalanathan.

“He didn’t have problems holding both posts before this. Does this mean he has to step down as MP as well to focus better on State duties?”

Kamalanathan said Pakatan Rakyat was trying to come up with reasons to hide its inability to govern the State.

“They are also trying to keep certain quarters happy with this appointment,” added Kamalanathan.

PKR strategic director Tian Chua, however, said Pakatan Rakyat does not have to follow BN and Umno’s tradition that the State head must be the State party chief. The Batu MP also defended the decision to appoint Azmin as State party chief.

“Abdul Khalid has a lot of work to do as MB. He hardly has time for party-building and field work.

“This decision is not so much against Abdul Khalid. We just felt it was better that someone else oversees the political aspects of the State. Plus, Azmin is a good choice because of his Selangor grassroots.”

Earlier, Anwar had insisted there was no hidden agenda in Azmin taking over as party chief from Abdul Khalid, also claiming it was due to Abdul Khalid's heavy workload.

Azmin also insisted his appointment was not due to the highly-publicised alleged feud between him and Abdul Khalid.

“Our relationship has been cordial, there is no problem. I work closely with Abdul Khalid," said Azmin.

"My position remains: He should stay as MB and I will give my full support to him.”



comments


so what is your problem Toyo? You want to be MB Selangor again? and rob the Selangorians again? Go back and take a penyapu to wipe your face first!

He really expects people to listen to a "has been" dentist? Cari kerja lain la, and pay your taxes to the Government of Selangor.

Khir "Poyo" should try to win back Selangor, and even if BN wins Selangor in next GE, appointing Poyo as the MB again will give negative impact to the Govt. Poyo, u better retire before your Botox run out of stock.

I agree that PKR is a quarrelsome bunch of politicians but in most ways a better choice than Khir Toyo. Do remember that the people are the ones who chose and it's all more the reason for Khir Toyo to ask himself why the people rejected him and opted for Khalid instead. BN should rethink on who should head Selangor if it hopes to win back the state. This is akin to choosing a good counter in the stock market. Fundamentals should not be ignored. Politics is like business. Just good business or bad business.