Selangor MB crisis: I still command majority support, says Khalid
(The Star) – Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (pic) remains defiant that he will not resign as Selangor Mentri Besar as he still commands the confidence of the majority in the state assembly.
In a response to the show-cause letter issued to him by PKR disciplinary committee, Khalid lamented that the ‘Kajang move’ involving his removal, was unfair as its details were never made clear to him from the start.
“The excuses were never consistent and definite. I had never agreed to the Kajang move, which involved the resignation of its former assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh without a valid reason.
“It is clear that such action has tainted the principles of democracy and it is a form of betrayal to the Kajang voters,” he said in the response that was made public on the state government’s website on Wednesday.
He said he was also disappointed that no disciplinary action was taken against Lee, who was even allowed to contest in the ongoing party elections.
In the 3-page response, Khalid also that the ‘Kajang move’ was ordered upon him without consideration for his executive responsibilities towards the people of Selangor.
“The party was well aware that I would only step aside once all the Pakatan Rakyat component parties are agreeable to it and after obtaining the consent of the Sultan,.
“However, the party made a premature decision to force my resignation, which cannot be easily executed,” he said.
Khalid, who is also Port Klang assemblyman, said the move had reflected badly on the party’s ability to govern the state.
“I have been appointed as MB based on legal provisions under the state laws and still command the confidence of majority in the state assembly.
“Therefore, there is no reason for me to resign from my post at this time,” he said.
Initiated in January, ‘Kajang move’ was intended to replace Khalid as MB by forcing a by-election in Kajang.
The party initially claimed that Khalid had failed to consult the party on several issues in the state.
PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was supposed to contest the seat with a view to becoming the next mentri besar.
However, his subsequent sodomy convictions by the Court of Appeal thwarted the plan and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was fielded as a replacement.
Dr Wan Azizah then won the by-election and on July 21, she was endorsed by the PKR leadership to take over from Khalid.
Khalid however has been defiant and has insisted on completing his second term in office. PAS leaders have also openly backed Khalid to remain as MB which prompted PKR to release an expose on Khalid to convince their allies on Tuesday.
They subsequently issued him with a show-cause letter with three days to respond.
In response, Khalid has reiterated his willingness to answer the accusations thrown at him by the party leaders.
