Khalid knows ‘Kajang Move’ was done to replace him, says Anwar
(The Malaysian Insider) – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to change the Selangor Menteri Besar was finalised by PKR in March when the “Kajang Move” was initiated and expressed confidence the cooperation within the Pakatan Rakyat pact will continue amidst talk of a break up.
The federal opposition leader said Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is well aware of the planned change in leadership.
“Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim himself had been informed since March 2014 and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah’s name was formally presented to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) presidential council last week,” Anwar said in a brief statement today.
Anwar said he believed the “spirit of consensus in Pakatan Rakyat” will be maintained to support changes that will generate sustainable economic growth, in the state.
Anwar’s statement today comes against a backdrop of growing uneasiness over the planned change from PAS, whose president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had expressed reservations about replacing Khalid as Selangor menteri besar.
The Islamists party’s deputy president Mohamad Sabu had dismissed Hadi’s view as his personal thoughts on the subject and not the official PAS position, as the party would discuss the matter after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.
Yesterday, Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad said PAS has only “received” the proposal from PKR to change the menteri besar. He said it should not be misunderstood that PAS had “approved” the proposal.
PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has backed Hadi and defended Khalid, even praising him for his good performance in his first term as menteri besar, from 2008 to 2013.
Weighing in on the debate, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng warned earlier today that the tension over the leadership issue in Selangor could boil over and lead to a break-up of the coalition.
Lim said the refusal of component party PAS to respect and adhere to views agreed together could lead to the break up of the coalition.
