Selangor PKR’s power struggle intensifies

Sin Chew Daily

The “struggle” between Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has been intensified. The lengthy power struggle between the two PKR leaders seems to have reached the climate.

However, since Khalid is the Selangor Menteri Besar, whether he will stay or leave is not only a party’s internal problem, but it is a matter affecting the state people’s welfare and thus, the PKR and even Pakatan Rakyat must thoroughly consider it. It is highly concerned whether the power struggle this time will affect the political stability of Selangor, as well as the people’s interests.

The discord between Khalid and Azmin has long been formed and Khalid has been repeatedly forced to abdicate by Azmin and his supporters ever since he started to serve as Selangor Menteri Besar in 2008. Khalid might have been replaced by Azmin as Selangor Menteri Besar if Selangor did not make a brilliant achievement in the 2013 general election by winning 44 state seats of the total 56 and if Khalid is not supported by the DAP and PAS. Nevertheless, Azmin, as a state assembly member and Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Backbenchers Club chief, still openly questioned Khalid leadership, such as criticising Khalid’s move to raise pays for state assembly members.

Azmin has always been eyeing for the Menteri Besar post and unscrupulous to challenge Khalid. The key is because he is the deputy president of the party supported by strong grassroots forces. In contrast, Khalid neither holds any high positions in the party nor backed by grassroots. It is also the reason why he has never been able to stop Azmin from challenging him.

Khalid does not seem to have been well supported in the party and some of his policies have even caused dissatisfaction of some party leaders, such as the Selangor water supply issue, the increase of business licence fees and the soft attitude in addressing the “Allah” issue. He was criticised to have not following the pace of the party while the hasty approval to allow substantial hikes in pays for state assembly members has also led to a dispute. However, from the standpoint of policy performance, except for some basic facilities like road damage conditions that requires improvement, his administration has managed to make the state’s reserve to hit record highs, showing that Khalid possesses business management acumen while the cases of corruption in Selangor has been drastically reduced.

If Khalid resigns, who will be the suitable candidate for the Menteri Besar post? Azmin is indeed greatly supported by party grassroots, but his impulsive and fickle performance in the past might make it difficult to give the people a feeling of security and stability. The PKR is going to hold its party election in May and no matter whether Khalid is able to defend his Menteri Besar post, all similar infighting must be ended. Struggles between party leaders are for nothing but personal interests while the never-ending struggles will risk the party’s internal unity and reputation.