Anwar: Khalid will defend his parliamentary seat
The Selangor Menteri Besar however says should he be elected again, the next term would be his last.
Leven Woon, FMT
Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has been nominated by his party PKR to defend his parliamentary seat in Bandar Tun Razak, fuelling speculation that he would be shifted to hold a cabinet post should Pakatan Rakyat takes over federal leadership.
PKR de factor leader Anwar Ibrahim said that the party would re-nominate Khalid to contest the seat during a visit to Pekan Sungai Besi this morning. Khalid was also present with Anwar.
“During the last general election, we won all (localities) but the army camps. This time, God willing, we will even emerge triumphant in army camps,” he told some 300-odd crowd during his Jelajah Merdeka speech.
A former corporate figure, Khalid wrested the Bandar Tun Razak seat from a strong MCA incumbent Tan Chai Ho with a majority of 2,515 votes. He also won the Ijok state seat with 1,920 majority.
In recent weeks, the political chatter had been that PKR would replace Khalid as the Selangor MB if Pakatan wins the state again in the next general election.
It had been said that he would not be asked to contest for a state seat and instead to concentrate in his parliamentary seat.
Anwar’s confirmation today – and the silence on the status of his state seat – would only add frenzy to the speculation.
One more term only
Khalid meanwhile told reporters that he was thankful to the party, but vowed to only keep his parliamentarian post for another term.
He said he would put in place a leadership succession plan should he be elected again in Bandar Tun Razak as he felt two-terms were enough for him.
“It’s not just me, but every parliamentarian should be giving a chance for other leaders to replace them,” he said.
When asked whether he would also re-nominated to defend his state seat, he answer was: “that hasn’t been announced, they only announced me for Bandar Tun Razak”.
Asked again whether the plan was to shift him to become a cabinet minister, he said it was only “speculations”.
