Selangor Pakatan sets into motion bid to remove Port Klang rep

(The Star) – Speculation is rife that Port Klang assemblyman Badrul Hisham Abdullah will soon be forced to vacate his state seat to pave the way for a by-election.

This comes as Badrul faces a barrage of personal attacks and a recent statement by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim that his status would be decided after Sept 23 following discussions with the state Speaker.

The plot thickens as the state Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) has summoned Badrul to a hearing on Tuesday to explain his alleged failure to perform his duties.

A political observer said that Selcat was seen as a front for Pakatan Rakyat component parties to execute a politically motivated agenda in Selangor.

“There seems to be a calculated plot to remove Badrul to force a by-election,” said the observer.

Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Science deputy dean Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said internal conflict in Pakatan could trigger crossovers.

“But Pakatan seems to manipulate the issues by implicating Barisan Nasional and hence covering up their weaknesses,” he said, adding that Barisan must find a way to prove that elected representatives were quitting Pakatan because of internal problems.

Badrul broke his silence on Friday to lash out at Khalid for making personal attacks against him, and to deny claims that he was suffering from a medical condition.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamarudin was also quoted as saying that Badrul could be easily influenced by Barisan and Umno because “his level of thinking is not stable.”