Political rift widens in Selangor

(The Star) – A campaign by supporters of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali to oust Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s political secretary Faekah Husin continues to heat up, deepening a political rift in the key Opposition-held state.

An anonymous group using the Twitter handle “@PecatFaekah” and the Twitter hashtag “#kamisayangpkr” has emerged, expressing support for Azmin and urging Faekah to resign due to alleged mishandling of the state’s SelangorKu financial grants.

Differences of opinions between Azmin and Khalid led to PKR splitting its administrative and political leadership portfolios in the state in 2010.

Azmin was appointed state party chief and Khalid retained executive powers as mentri besar.

“I think the real target is probably not me and that I am just the ‘punching bag’,” Faekah said when contacted.

“Everyone knows that whatever decision or comments that I make, most of it, especially in terms of the SelangorKu grants, is actually Tan Sri Khalid’s decision. I am merely the implementer,” she said.

The attacks against Faekah first emerged after her appointment in 2010 but gained strength and appeared online early this month after she criticised Azmin for his statement saying PKR should prevent family influence from dominating party decisions.

The comment was seen by some as a dig at party president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, a strong Khalid supporter.

Asked whether anything was being done by the party to resolve the issue, Faekah replied: “I don’t know.

“He (Azmin) has to prove that he can help PKR win the next general election.”

Azmin, when contacted for a response on the online campaign, declined to comment.