Khalid and Azmin in tussle over Malaysia’s richest state

PKR’s Azmin Ali has made no secret of his ambition of becoming Selangor mentri besar. But many attribute the Opposition’s gains in the state to the popularity of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

It’s common knowledge that the younger generation of Pakatan supporters are split between Team Izzah and Team Azmin. PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, too, is said to have issues with Azmin. Rumour has it that Dr Wan Azizah was not fielded in Selangor because of this.

Tashny Sukumaran, The Star

WHO will be Selangor’s next mentri besar?

Although Pakatan Rakyat swept to power in the state, gaining eight seats for a total of 44 out of 56 in the state assembly, there might be instability as the previously dominant PKR is now the junior partner.

While both PAS and DAP scored 15 state seats each, PKR won one less with 14.

Those aligned to incumbent Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim point to the massive gains as a sign of approval.

But Pakatan has not decided who will lead the nation’s richest state and indeed, whether he will be from PKR.

Khalid has assured the rakyat that Pakatan’s top leaders will make a decision within a week.

“The decision has not been made (yet),” he told reporters.

However, it is expected to be a straight fight between two men Khalid and PKR firebrand Azmin Ali.

Azmin, the party’s deputy president, has allegedly been gunning for the mentri besar post for years.

The highly-publicised spat between him and Khalid’s political secretary Faekah Husin who is fiercely protective of her boss is touted as proof of the rivalry between Khalid and Azmin.

There was further controversy last October when Azmin told a Malay daily that Khalid would be made a minister if Pakatan seized Putrajaya and would be vacating the mentri besar’s position.

Azmin is very much Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim‘s man but whispers of friction between him and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar only serve to add fuel to the fire.

It’s common knowledge that the younger generation of Pakatan supporters are split between Team Izzah and Team Azmin.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, too, is said to have issues with Azmin.

Rumour has it that Dr Wan Azizah was not fielded in Selangor because of this.

Despite his clashes with Anwar’s wife and daughter, Azmin still has the Opposition leader’s ear.

And thanks to Anwar’s backing, the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman may take on Khalid.

Behind closed doors, elected representatives and candidates make no secret of their allegiances.

A source close to Khalid said Azmin had picked candidates he could control.

“He chooses his own people to make sure everyone is in his pocket. But Azmin needs to realise the rakyat accept Khalid.”

The source accused him of putting his candidates in safe seats.

The source said it was an open secret Azmin frequently meddled in Selangor matters for his own political mileage.

When Khalid, who won the Port Klang state seat in GE13, first entered the scene, he was viewed as a political novice but a seasoned corporate leader.

A member of the National Productivity Council, he was also chief executive of state-run investment fund Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and CEO of what is now Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad.

Azmin has been close to Anwar since the age of 23, serving as his special officer in 1987 when the Permatang Pauh MP was Education Minister.

When Anwar was convicted of sodomy and corruption, Azmin was one of PKR’s founding members.

His loyalty knows no bounds, to the extent of being convicted for lying in court during Anwar’s trial. He was later acquitted. However, the court proceedings effectively ensured he could not participate in the 2004 general election.

Some have questioned if Azmin can and should be mentri besar as he was born in Singapore, not Selangor.

But according to a national-level PKR leader, Azmin is allowed by the Selangor constitution to become mentri besar.

“Pakatan did well in Selangor thanks to Khalid. The rakyat retained us because they thought they’d continue with him as mentri besar.”

The leader said that as PKR’s seats had been reduced, the party would have to consult DAP and PAS closely.

“DAP and PAS are both very much behind Khalid. Azmin will make an attempt to grab the post but he doesn’t have the popularity.”

However, there have been whispers that PAS is eager to submit a name for consideration although sources say the party will not push for it for the sake of preserving Pakatan’s unity.

But the PKR leader confirmed that in closed-door meetings, Khalid had support. The caretaker mentri besar also met the Selangor Sultan yesterday.

“It will probably be Khalid. Azmin may have had a chance before but now the political landscape is different.”