In the Chinese Press: Azmin to eventually take over as MB?
Chan Wei See, fz.com
How will Selangor’s power game end after the Kajang by-election? Some people are saying that ultimately PKR deputy president Azmin Ali will be made the Selangor menteri besar.
A Penang PKR source told Oriental Daily News that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would first take over as MB upon winning the by-election and after the party elections in April.
Assuming the MB’s post is a stepping stone for Anwar in his pursuit to become the prime minister, the source said, stressing that if Anwar did not make the Kajang move, he would be deserted during the party polls and see his big dreams fall apart.
As Azmin has gone through fire and water with Anwar all these years, the source said Anwar would back Azmin as the future helmsman of Selangor.
“Forcing a by-election for Anwar to contest is a tactic of killing two birds with one stone. However, this is just the first move, what really matters is the April party election,” the source said.
Selangor MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is expected to relinquish his post after the party polls whereas Azmin, who enjoys ground support, would logically be lifted to a higher position with the backing of the election results, the daily reported.
“Then Anwar will become MB and make Azmin his deputy. He might also even make Azmin the acting MB,” the Penang PKR source was quoted as saying.
However, Selangor PAS deputy president Khalid Samad has ruled out the possibility of Anwar replacing current MB Khalid after winning the by-election.
While noting that Anwar’s move is to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat’s leadership in Selangor, the Shah Alam MP is of the view that it’s not necessary for the opposition leader to take over the MB’s post for that to happen.
The highest post Anwar could get is that of state executive councillor, he reiterated.
“With regards to the MB issue, he (Anwar) has no right to decide on his own. Instead, he must get a consensus from all three parties,” he added.
In his view, the issue of Anwar becoming the MB was raised because some quarters intended to frighten the non-Malay voters.
“Now Barisan Nasional has started saying, ‘If you want Khalid to retain his MB’s post, let Anwar lose the by-election’, ” he said.
Chew Mei Fun, Chong Sin Woon being considered as BN candidates
Apart from the former BN candidate for the Kajang seat, Lee Ban Seng, MCA is also considering fielding a national leader to take on Anwar in the by-election, Sin Chew Daily reported.
MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon and MCA organising secretary Datuk Yoo Wei How are among the Selangor-based national leaders being considered as the BN candidate for the by-election.
When contacted by the daily, Selangor MCA deputy chief Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said that since Anwar was Pakatan’s top leader, the MCA central leadership would consider fielding a heavyweight.
Lim did not confirm speculations that Chew and Chong were shortlisted as candidates. However, he did not rule out the possibility that one of them could be fielded as both of them are Selangor-based national leaders.
In his opinion, fielding a woman candidate in the election might help to generate more votes to BN.
Meanwhile both Chew and Chong dismissed the speculation, saying it was just a rumour.
Chew said she is leaving it to the MCA central leadership to decide on the candidacy.
