Managing Selangor
By N Shashi Kala and Zedeck Siew (The Nut Graph)
In this first of a two-part interview, Khalid discusses the challenges facing the PR state government, balancing state interests and party concerns, and the upcoming Penanti by-election.
IT'S been 14 months since Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim took the hot seat as Selangor menteri besar (MB) after the Barisan Nasional (BN) was swept out from power in the state in the 8 March 2008 general election.
Since then, the 62-year-old corporate-captain-turned-politician, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament (MP) and Ijok state assemblyperson, has been kept busy trying to steady the helm of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)-run state.
He was chief executive officer of Permodalan Nasional Berhad and Kumpulan Guthrie before joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and trying his hand at politics. Undoubtedly, he brings his vast corporate experience to bear in his new role.
As menteri besar, Khalid has had to master the art of compromise by getting the state assemblypersons from three parties within the PR — PKR, DAP and PAS — to work together. He has also had to ensure that the state administration's promises to the electorate are kept.
Some of these promises such as the declaration of assets have come to pass, albeit a year after he took office. Others such as the Freedom of Information Act and local council elections have yet to take off.
In a rushed interview on 29 April, Khalid, who is also Selangor PKR's liaison committee chief, spoke candidly to The Nut Graph about various issues, including on his nemesis, Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo.
In this first of a two-part interview, Khalid discusses the challenges facing the PR state government, balancing state interests and party concerns, and the upcoming Penanti by-election.
Read more at: http://www.thenutgraph.com/managing-selangor
