Fresh shots fired in all-out Selangor PKR civil war
Hazlan Zakaria, The Ant Daily
As the Malay adage goes, “di air yang tenang jangan sangka tiada buaya,” literally meaning that on the river, one can never discount the presence of crocodiles as they can hide even in calm waters.
To this, in the current Selangor context one can add, “walau jika Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Kajang jangan sangka PKR tiada sengketa,” for the opposition leader’s gambit in the small town seems not to have brought party infighting down even a notch, as was intended.
Despite their cordial engagement outside and on social media, Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali is still grinding his axes against the menteri besar who was supposedly parachuted into the position Azmin once reportedly expressed was promised to him.
He threw another hatchet just days ago on the allegedly wrongful non-continuance of contract of over 20 Selangor Economic Development Corporation (PKNS) subsidiary’s contract staff.
Azmin accused Selangor MB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim of wielding PKNS as a “personal weapon” to whack his critics, and applying pressure by sacking state employees.
Meanwhile, sources had reportedly hinted that the cull was to remove a secret cabal of redundant highly paid state officers recruited for and inserted into PKNS but apparently used to watch over and further the political ends of a certain gang of people.
Azmin who does not appear to have links to the alleged secret cabal within PKNS demanded Khalid to reinstate employees recently released from Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor Holdings Sdn Bhd (PHSB), describing the move as “grossly inhumane” and a violation of employment laws.
The 20 or so PHSB staff were informed early this week that their annual work contract will not be renewed upon 24 hours’ notice and were reportedly paid two months’ severance.
However, Khalid denied responsibility, explaining that the move was made because of revelations of alleged wastage made by whistle-blowers in a restructuring exercise to cut costs at the state body.
The Selangor MB claimed PKNS has saved almost RM7 million a year from the exercise what was in line with the integrity pact signed between PKNS and Transparency-International Malaysia.
Complaints were apparently lodged that permanent staff were blocked from promotion to higher posts occupied by PHSB employees who were paid way above state pay scales.
PHSB employees were also allegedly appointed by recommendations, bypassing proper hiring procedures, said Khalid who added the cull was done by newly-appointed PKNS general manager Azlan Alfiah via due process and within the law.
“Well, of course it isn’t his fault. It never is, isn’t it?” Azmin had reportedly retorted, throwing another tomahawk at Khalid’s back.
This follows a change of guard in PKNS proper, general manager Othman Omar and executive secretary Norita Mohd Sidek having been relieved of their duties over the allegedly unauthorised removal of Azmin from the GLC’s board of directors.
