Khalid dismisses speculation on federal move if Pakatan wins

(The Star) – Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has dismissed speculation that he will vacate his post and move to a federal ministerial position if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya in the coming general election.

He stressed that the speculation arose following a personal view expressed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali a few days ago.

He said there was no misunderstanding between him and Azmin, who had implied that Pakatan would appoint a new Mentri Besar if it retained Selangor in the elections.

Azmin was reported by a Malay daily to have said that Khalid would be given a ministerial post should Pakatan take over Putrajaya.

“He (Azmin) does not have to apologise over his statement, which I believe is his personal view,” Khalid said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He also defended Azmin, saying that the comments showed that the party leadership trusted his ability to perform well at both state and federal levels.

“It shows that he trusts my leadership in whatever position the party decides to put me in,” he said.