Rumble in Selangor just won’t stop
(NST) – They are basically telling the people that the democratic process of proper elections where their supporters participated in do not mean anything as they can do anything they want just to be in power.
Describing the candidacy of PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail for the Menteri Besar post as an example of PKR’s obsession with power, Selangor opposition leader Datuk Shamsuddin Lias said the political drama will continue to disrupt peace in the state even if Wan Azizah was appointed.
“It is an open secret that the main goal of PKR’s power struggle in Selangor is not to make Wan Azizah the menteri besar. The failed ‘Kajang Move’ as agreed upon was meant for the coalition’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be MB but due to unforeseen circumstances, his wife had to be called to replace him.
“What would make any other person think that this time, it would be different? The so called ‘Kajang Move’ is still in place and gaining its momentum with the announcement by Anwar yesterday.
“But we all have to ask ourselves whether Wan Azizah is capable of deciding the state’s affairs on her own or is she a proxy under the control of a puppet master we all know too well,” he said when contacted.
The opposition, he said, viewed the chain of events as a testament that PKR is to fulfil the ambitions of the ‘power crazies’ and never consider the implications of their action to the people in Selangor.
“This would also affect the current political struggle within the party itself, as one of the most promising candidates for the menteri besar post, the much talked about Azmin Ali had failed yet again.
“The party also has a number of detractors and members who are not satisfied with the obsession of power within the party’s central leadership who had abandon its responsibilities as assemblyman and woman.
“The detractors and unsatisfied members will not stay down with this development as they have been patient all this while. They could retaliate or cause more trouble in the future for Wan Azizah, we will never know.
“Regardless of the party’s internal struggle, there is also a clear lack of consideration for the people in their quest for power. The people is said to prefer current menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim over the other candidates that have been named or rumoured so far and they would not agree with the replacement of Khalid through this means.
“They are basically telling the people that the democratic process of proper elections where their supporters participated in do not mean anything as they can do anything they want just to be in power.
“Replacing Khalid with someone who is not chosen by the people to lead the whole state will only breed contentment for the whole party.
“As the opposition for the state, we do not want to see any disruption to the people and state’s administration especially when we do not know the abilities of the candidate entrusted to hold the post soon,” he said.
On Monday night, Anwar announced the candidacy of his wife, Wan Azizah as the new menteri besar for Selangor and replace incumbent, Khalid.
As a response, Khalid reiterated his desire to continue serving the state government until his terms ends in another few years and challenged the PKR leadership to follow the state’s constitution and replace him.
It was mentioned in previous reports that other parties under Pakatan, DAP and PAS were reluctant with the suggestion to replace Khalid and expressed uneasiness with the prospect of an inexperienced, female menteri besar.
