PAS leaders: Let Khalid continue
The Selangor PAS source said an overwhelming number of those at the meeting between Hadi and the Selangor PAS leaders were of the view that Khalid should continue until the next general election.
Joceline Tan, The Star
The Selangor Mentri Besar saga has grown more complicated with PAS leaders in Selangor now advocating that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim be allowed to serve out a full term.
The embattled Khalid, often described as a cat with nine lives, may survive the plot to oust him with the support from PAS.
There were mixed opinions about whether Khalid should be replaced during a meeting last Saturday, chaired by PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang to listen to the views of Selangor PAS leaders.
A well-placed Selangor PAS source said the “let Khalid continue” opinion dominated over those who want Khalid to go.
Those at the meeting included the four PAS state executive councillors, assemblymen and MPs as well as division heads. Hadi did not say much but he informed the meeting that he would take all their views into consideration.
It was also learnt that at about 11pm that very same evening, Hadi together with his secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali went to Khalid’s Bukit Damansara house, presumably to convey certain views to the Mentri Besar.
However, Mustafa, when contacted, claimed it was merely a “courtesy call after terawih prayers”.
“Tan Sri Khalid had visited Tuan Guru when he was in IJN (National Heart Institute) and we wanted to return the courtesy. We were there for only about an hour, we did not discuss any heavy issues,” said Mustafa.
The Selangor PAS source said an overwhelming number of those at the meeting between Hadi and the Selangor PAS leaders were of the view that Khalid should continue until the next general election.
Those in favour of Khalid included Selangor PAS commissioner and state executive councillor Iskandar Samad, who had been named as a possible replacement for Khalid.
The other PAS state executive councillors, Dr Halimah Ali, Sallehen Mukhyi and Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, also defended Khalid.
Iskandar, who is also state executive councillor, said it made no sense to change Khalid who is seen as a “clean leader” and “not corrupt”.
Others who spoke up for Khalid to stay on said PAS should not be dragged into what they see as a “PKR drama” to topple Khalid. They cautioned the top party leadership from getting involved in the internal politics of PKR. They regarded the move to topple Khalid as part of the unpopular “Kajang Move”.
Lembah Jaya assemblyman Khasim Abdul Aziz said that if PAS cannot make a bid for the Mentri Besar post, then it should be status quo in Selangor.
Those critical of Khalid included Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin and Meru assemblyman Dr Abdul Rani Osman. Criticism against Khalid included the way he had handled issues like the water restructuring deal with the federal authorities as well as the thorny Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project.
However, it is learnt that the majority of the PAS leadership in Selangor is with Khalid in his handling of the Bible seizure issue.
Khalid has been under attack by PKR and DAP leaders who are said to be trying to replace him with Kajang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. However, it is an open secret by now that the Palace is not comfortable with the idea of a female Mentri Besar.
