GE13: Who Will Be Selangor MB If Barisan Nasional Wins?

 

(Malaysian Digest) – Considering the fact that Selangor is a state rich in various resources, BN at this point may need to prepare a list of candidates who possess a strong corporate background, just like Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the current MB.

Who will be the Selangor Menteri Besar if Barisan Nasional (BN) regains power in the state in the coming general election?

This lingering question not only remains in the minds of politicians but the rakyat as well.

Considering the fact that Selangor is a state rich in various resources, BN at this point may need to prepare a list of candidates who possess a strong corporate background, just like Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the current MB.

Sources whom Malaysian Digest spoke to recently claimed there were several corporate bigwigs who are being considered by BN as potentials to compete with Abdul Khalid in running the state and its thriving economy.

Among the names being tossed include Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) chairman, Tan Sri Rozali Ismail.

The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (Selangor Chapter) president is said to have a large influence among business players within and outside the country, thus he might be able to draw prominent investors to invest in Selangor.

Unlike Abdul Khalid who lacked political experience when he assumed the menteri besar post in 2008, Rozali is seen to have the full package, having being active in politics when he was Selangor Umno treasurer.

However, the Socrates Awards recipient’s gleaming image suffered a slight smear during the water crisis which engulfed the state late last year.

The Selangor government had not only accused Syabas to have sabotaged the state’s water supply as a desperate attempt to win back Selangor in the soon-to-be-called 13th general glection, but had also allegedly threatened to expose Rozali of his lavish lifestyle to the rakyat, on top of cutting his pay as much as RM10 million.

Besides Rozali, another corporate personality who is seen to have a massive potential is Tan Sri Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor, the Group Managing Director and CEO of real estate giant Glomac Group of Companies.

More popularly known as FD Iskandar FD Mansor, the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) deputy president is seen to have a solid future in politics, and so far there has yet to be any objections heard from within Umno in accepting him as MB material.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision in appointing FD Iskandar as Selangor Umno treasurer might have also been the perfect choice in pleasing all parties who believed that the MB post should be held by a politician.

Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa has also been rumored to be a potential MB candidate.

Besides a squeaky clean corporate image, his good ties with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah might also influence Najib’s decision in the appointment of MB of the country’s richest state.

Mohamad Adzib had been reportedly implicated only once, when Shah Alam Member of Parliament Khalid Samad claimed in September 2011 that there was a secret meeting held between Mais, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and Islamic NGOs to unseat Abdul Khalid as Menteri Besar.

The meeting was apparently held to brief Islamic NGOs following the controversial raid on the Dream Center Methodist Church which took place the month before. While noting that Mais came under the direct purview of the Sultan and not the state government, Khalid had said the authority should have shown respect to Abdul Khalid as the state’s MB by extending an invitation, especially after the latter had personally requested for Jais to submit a report on the raid.

There are also several other Umno leaders currently seen marketing themselves and their abilities in leading the state, with Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed being one such person.

His position as the current Selangor BN coordinator could potentially make it easier for him to gain support not just within Umno but the people of Selangor as well.

Another such person said to be on par to compete with Abdul Khalid is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, based on his vast experience in the federal level and Selangor Umno state liaison.

However, unlike the corporate figures noted earlier, Noh as well as Mohd Zin had been implicated in multiple issues and controversies throughout their political careers – a point which might not work too well in their favor in the contest for MB.

Meanwhile, people should not discount the possibility of a new, fresh face contesting for the Selangor MB post, a source said.

“When former Selangor MB Dr Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was appointed to the post, he was not a big name anywhere… but he was chosen because he was young and fresh.

“It is not impossible that the same could happen again in the coming general election,” said the source.