DAP to gain if Khalid leaves?

(NST) – THE mission to oust Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar is likely to receive a boost from DAP, but that support hinges on the outcome of several ongoing religious issues in the state.

The continuous clash of opinions on hudud and bibles in Bahasa Malaysia, for example, have widened the divide between non-Muslim Pakatan assemblymen and their Pas counterparts.

Over the past two months, Khalid had been drawing flak, particularly from his colleagues in DAP, PKR and the Christian community, for his alleged failures in addressing religious issues taking place in Selangor.

National Professors’ Council political cluster secretary Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Sidek said the alleged weakness had resulted in DAP raking in support from non-Muslim PKR assemblymen, tipping the balance of Khalid’s political footing.

“Hudud, the controversial use of the word “Allah” in Malay Bibles and Selangor Islamic Affairs Council’s refusal to return more than 300 of the seized holy books has created rifts in the assembly,” said Halim.

The bibles were seized from the Bible Society of Malaysia on Jan 2.

The matter has now been referred to the court after a meeting between Khalid and Mais during an audience with the Sultan of Selangor.

In the 13th General Election last year, DAP won 15 state seats in Selangor, while PKR garnered 14 and Pas, 15.

The three current non-Muslim PKR assemblymen are Gan Pei Nei (Rawang), Wong Keat Ping (Bukit Lanjan) and Xavier Jayakumar Arulanandam (Seri Andalas).

The situation is made worse for Khalid when there were already at least four PKR assemblymen known to oppose Khalid — PKR deputy president Azmin Ali (Bukit Antarabangsa), Selangor PKR leadership council secretary Amirudin Shari (Batu Caves), Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei (Sri Muda) and Xavier.

Halim suggested that the dissension on religious issues could be used to the advantage of Khalid’s political enemies in PKR.

Khalid’s job description other than being menteri besar, include the chair of the state Islamic affairs committee, among others.

“DAP is known to have a secular view, which clashes with the idea of implementing Islamic laws, especially as proposed by Pas.

“At the same time, the non-Muslims in PKR are with DAP when it comes to controversial religious issues,” said Halim.

One of Khalid’s closest aides, Menteri Besar Inc chief executive Faekah Husin said DAP would want her boss removed “if the seized bibles were to be returned”.

She agreed that, ostensibly, the move would be mutually beneficial for Khalid’s detractors and DAP, which would gain political mileage among non-Muslims should such issues be resolved in their favour.

“If a new menteri besar can help them achieve their (DAP’s) agenda, perhaps they think the change is necessary,” said Faekah, who was Khalid’s former political secretary.

Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman opined that to a certain extent, it was DAP which wielded larger influence when it comes to religious issues.

“If you look at the numbers (of assemblymen), DAP has better influence than PKR and Pas,” he said.