The anti-Khalid plot merely a myth

The recent purported party controversy over Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has been shown to be nothing more than a small quarrel among siblings of a family, whose neighbours gossiped about as a big fight for the control of the family wealth and property.

A so-called plot by an alleged Gang of 15 MPs to oust Khalid as the menteri besar is simply a myth created by certain people to discredit, destablize and destroy the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Pakatan Rakyat by using some disgruntled PKR malcontents who didn’t get what they wanted from the party leadership.

It is known that Khalid has not been very accommodative in meeting the wishes of some small-time egoistic leaders who nominate themselves for civil awards given annually by the state during the royal birthday, and in the awarding of lucrative project contracts.

Many of these political lightweights have great expectations that since the Pakatan Rakyat is now controlling the state, they would be given state titles and honours. However, they were disappointed when Khalid gave them the cold shoulder.

Some discontented members also lament that they have not been offered positions in the state government-linked companies or given special consideration in jobs for the state projects.

The limited number of city and municipal counsellor posts in the state has also caused much dissatisfaction among many ambitious grassroots party officials when they are bypassed for the positions

The purported plot is nothing more than a mere political guerilla tactic to force Khalid to accede to their demands for titles, honours, contracts and positions in state companies, a sort of psychological blackmail to tell him to give in to their wishes or face a revolt.

PKR supremo Datuk Seri Ibrahim is right in endorsing and defending the leadership of Khalid as the menteri besar of Selangor.

During the party retreat in Shah Alam over the last weekend, Anwar had high commendations for the Selangor state government under Khalid’s leadership.

Anwar said Khalid had shown that he has the capacity to uphold integrity, transparency and responsibility in administrating the state.

Anwar also refuted the rumours of a plot by the so-called Gang of 15 party MPs demanding for the removal of Khalid as the menteri besar.

Two PKR state executive councillors in Selangor — Elizabeth Wong and Dr Xavier Jayakumar — have also declared publicly last week their endorsement and support of Khalid as a good menteri besar.

PAS state executive councillor Iskandar Abd Samad has also said he was personally happy with Khalid’s leadership.

And the person who is supposed to be a key leader of the alleged plot – party vice-president Azmin Ali, the MP for Gombak and Bukit Antarabangsa state assembly member – has publicly pleaded ignorance about the whole thing.

Azmin has declared that he did not have any information on a move to oust Khalid or heard of any meeting or discussion held on the purported plot.

“To be honest, I don’t know about this, I have to check with my collegues first. So, I cannot comment on this. You should ask the newspaper who the MPs are,” Azmin was quoted as saying.

Yes, Azmin is right, those who wrote the news stories should have more credibility in naming the MPs who are alleged to be in the Gang of 15.

The only person named so far as being the coup leader is Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Bahrain Abbas, who has strongly refuted the accusation.

No one else has been named or has anyone come forward to acknowledge that there is such a plot.

Yet, the myth continues to be reported in the mainline newspapers as if the alleged plot is true.

The whole purpose, as I see it, is to cause confusion and uncertainty among the Pakatan Rakyat members and supporters. Those behind the rumours of the alleged plot may not be from the PKR or Pakatan Rakyat, but certain outsiders with a political agenda to cause the downfall of the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has announced that Khalid has stepped down as the Selangor party chief, and Azmin appointed to replace him.

Azizah stressed that the arrangement was made at the request of Khalid himself who wants to concentrate on the administration of the state.

As expected, the new scenario has given rise to another round of speculative reporting, with analysts and reporters claiming that the whole thing is a horse-trading to placate Azmin into letting off Khalid.

Khalid, meanwhile, denied that he gave up the party post to due to pressure from anyone.

He explained that the various administrative duties as the menteri besar had restricted him from focusing time and efforts on party matters.

“I have a lot of work to do, with many activities, such as seeking and promoting investments for the state, taking over the state water supply operation, having a Klang River clean-up project for which I have to pool investment from the country and abroad,” he said.

Because of that, Khalid said, he had asked the party leadership to appoint another leader to take charge of the party organisation and operation in Selangor.

Azmin, meanwhile, said he hopes the distribution of duties between him and Khalid would be a good move for a more effective and efficient running of the state and party.

Although it is perceived that Khalid and Azmin, both long-time confidantes of Anwar, have not been able to see eye-to-eye on many things, both are mature and wise politicians who have the greater interest of the party as their priority, and they will not allow their personal interests to jeopardize the ultimate goal of the Pakatan Rakyat to take over Putrajaya after the next general election.

Meanwhile, Anwar and the party leaders, including Khalid and Azmin, must be aware that every move of the PKR and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition will be closely watched and scrutinized by their political rivals and a not-too-friendly local press fraternity.

Their political enemies are just waiting for them to make a strategic slip. The road to Putrajaya is paved with many political potholes, and the reckless and foolhardy drivers of the Pakatan Rakyat convoy will not be able to reach their destination, if they compete with each other and knock each other’s vehicle on the road.