“BN has not forgiven us”

By N Shashi Kala and Zedeck Siew (The Nut Graph)

SELANGOR is considered among the wealthiest states in the peninsular, and control of its government has long been seen as crucial to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Within its borders lie the administrative and national capitals of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. It is also home to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the nation's most important port, Port Klang.

It's no wonder then that Selangor's fall to the opposition parties in the 2008 general election rankled the BN so. But unlike in Perak, where the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) held only a slim majority and thus fell prey to BN's machinations in the February 2009 coup, the PR has 36 assemblypersons to BN's 20 in Selangor. Indeed, it would take more than a few defections to bring down the PR Selangor government.

Still, this has not stopped the BN from doing its best to upset the PR state government's apple cart. Menteri Besar (MB) Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, especially, has become a lightning rod for the BN's criticisms about the way the state is run. He has also had to fend off attacks on his integrity.

In the second and final part of a 45-minute interview with The Nut Graph on 29 April 2009, Khalid, in measured tones, shares his thoughts about the possibility of a Perak-like coup in Selangor; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak; and his nemesis, former MB Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo. He also outlines his vision for Selangor.

Read more at: http://www.thenutgraph.com/bn-has-not-forgiven-us