Selangor MB under pressure as discontent grows

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid (The Malaysian Insider)

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — A recent statement by Selangor PAS Youth is pointing to growing discontent towards the leadership of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, in a sign of the problems which still beset the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state administration.

PAS Youth had criticised the Selangor mentri besar for not doing enough to address social problems in the state, citing Khalid's dual role of being the MB as well as holding the youth and sports portfolio.

The youth wing of the PR party is demanding Khalid relinquish the youth and sports portfolio.

It has proposed the post be given to Sijangkang PAS assemblyman Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi.

It has also nominated Batu Caves PKR assemblyman Amirudin Shari for the post but sources close to PKR said this move was made merely as a “political courtesy” when it is clear that PAS wants the post to be given to its man.

"Furthermore, we have reasons to believe that all this is done under the instigation of Selangor PAS chief Datuk Hassan Ali," a source told The Malaysian Insider.

It's no secret that Hassan and Khalid are not the best of friends.

When the opposition won Selangor last year, Hassan wanted the MB post but lost out to PKR because PAS had fewer seats.

But just as everybody thought that PAS and PKR had sorted out their differences when Khalid was appointed MB, it was revealed that PAS held secret talks with Umno.

Then Selangor Umno chief and former MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo revealed that Hassan would have been made the state's chief executive if PAS had agreed to form a coalition state government with Umno.

"Ever since then, things have not been really peachy between PAS and PKR here. I'm sure you've read many reports of complaints about Khalid's inefficiency," the source said, hinting at such complaints being made by the anti-Khalid camp from PAS.

Amirudin, the Batu Caves assemblyman, has played down the differences.

He said that although PAS and PKR have their differences, cooperation between them is very much there and alive.

"In politics, without rumours it would not be politics," he said.

"The only issue here is PAS wants a new post to be created as they believe Khalid would be able to focus more on his work as MB.

"Only 10 executive councillor posts are permitted under the state constitution so we cannot have one more due to this limitation.

"Furthermore, Khalid has four assistants including me to help him out with the youth and sports portfolio," he told The Malaysian Insider.