New Selangor MB after Raya?

(The Sun Daily) – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has named party chief Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the candidate to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor mentri besar after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Sin Chew Daily reported today.

This is seen as a setback for PKR deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali, who is said to be eyeing the post.

A source told the daily the party reached the consensus to recommend Wan Azizah for the post at an extraordinary meeting on Friday evening.

This followed PKR’s political bureau meeting on Wednesday, which affirmed the “Kajang Move” – a term for changing the mentri besar because the party central leadership is not happy with Khalid’s leadership style.

However, the source said although Wan Azizah has the blessings of PKR and DAP, she may face objection from PAS.

“PAS is more conservative about having a woman mentri besar. Wan Azizah has to obtain the Islamic party’s blessings before she can (take) the top job.”

The source pointed out that as it is trust and consensus that keeps the three parties together under Pakatan Rakyat (PR), an alternative candidate will have to be identified should PAS reject the PKR choice.

It is learnt that PKR will submit its choice to PR within days.

It is widely speculated that PR will have the mentri besar replaced by September.

Meanwhile, Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong believes that Khalid is best suited for the mentri besar job and should not be replaced.

Commenting on speculation that Khalid would be replaced after Hari Raya, Mah said Khalid is a leader who is careful with the state’s finances and one who does not make promises he cannot fulfill.

“I feel that Khalid has performed to the best of his ability. Furthermore, the people support him,” he told a press conference on Saturday.

Mah said that compared with other leaders who make all sorts of promises just to win the people’s support, Khalid is more suited to lead the state although he has made minor mistakes.