‘Compromise’ MB candidate Idris to end crisis?

(The Sun Daily) – PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is expected to name a candidate acceptable to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as his replacement to put an end to the crisis threatening to split Pakatan Rakyat.

The name being floated is Ijok assemblyman Dr Idris Ahmad (pix), Sin Chew Daily reported today.

A PKR source said that in view of the current stalemate due to Khalid’s refusal to step down, the party will offer Idris as the compromise candidate.

The source said Khalid has no objection to Idris being made mentri besar, and the Selangor palace is not expected to object to the choice.

It is understood that Khalid had on a number of occasions made it clear that he was willing to step down as long as the post did not go to deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali.

The source said although Idris, who is the party’s Federal Territory chief, is a first-term assemblyman, he is an “anak Selangor” and has “good exposure”.

The choice of Idris will also address PAS’s worry that the Malay society may have doubts about a woman mentri besar.

The party’s only worry left is possible objection by Azmin’s supporters, the source said.

“But party de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to resolve any such issue before making an announcement to pre-empt a public spat between rival factions in the party,” said the source, adding that PR’s Selangor leaders are expected to accept Idris as the compromise candidate in the best interest of the coalition.

Meanwhile, China Press reported that Khalid may face expulsion from the party for his defiance.

The party’s political bureau, which met yesterday night, has not discounted such a possibility. A source said that the party may resort to sacking Khalid to pre-empt any move by the mentri besar to calling for a snap state election.