Does Wan Azizah have the chops to be MB? — Analysts debate

(Bernama) – Is Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim capable of executing her duties, responsibility and trust as Selangor Menteri Besar.

The issue is raised by political analysts and observers who doubted the capability of the Kajang state assemblywoman to be elevated to lead the developed state replacing Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Special Affairs Department (Jasa) think tank panelist Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz claimed Dr Wan Azizah had betrayed the people’s trust when the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president resigned as Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament to give way to her husband on July 31, 2008.

“In the party (PKR)’s administration, her party leadership trait is influenced by a ‘third party’ and not her own ideas,” he said when met by reporters after the ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme produced by Bernama TV here last night.

Hence, he said the people, particularly in Selangor must be matured enough in viewing the current Selangor political crisis that involved attempts to topple their own comrade in grabbing for the menteri besar’s post.

He said the current Selangor Menteri Besar is seen as more capable to administer Selangor based on his administrative record of over five years, which had the consent of the Sultan of Selangor.

“Compared to Dr Wan Azizah, who does not have any experience in administrating whatsoever,” he said.

Meanwhile another Jasa panelist Lokman Noor Adam said Abdul Khalid’s commitment to the welfare and prosperity of the state had already been evident in the issue of clean water supply.

“The water issue in Selangor for example, has highlighted Abdul Khalid as a leader who gives greater attention to the people than the party,” he said.

He said Abdul Khalid’s attitude was clear when he overrided his party’s decision to seal the agreement on the Langat 2 dam project with the federal government for the interests of the people in Selangor.

“He is a person who is courageous to violate the party’s order if the people’s interest is at stake,” he said. Concurring with the opinion was Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) College of Law, Government and International Studies dean Prof Madya Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed, who said administrating a state was not an easy matter like administrating a party.

He said as a developed state, Selangor needed a skilled and widely experienced administrator in various sectors, including financial administration, organisation and humanitarian matters.

“Administrating a state curtails comprehensive planning because it has aspects of development, expenditure and ties with foreign inverstors.

“In fact when we examine Wan Azizah’s political history, she, herself, did not enter politics voluntarily but became a candidate due to unforeseen circumstances and not based on her capability or keeness, so how can she administer something that is bigger (state),” he said.

He said gender was never an issue in the crisis as the appointment of any leaders were based on the capability and wisdom possessed by that particular individual. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political science senior lecturer Dr Sivamurugam Pandian said the fact that not only outsiders but even PKR and PAS allies rejected Wan Azizah showed that they doubted her capability to be the menteri besar.

“Based on Wan Azizah’s earlier statements she, herself, has admitted to being not ready to administer Selangor, what more to say the many issues that need to be addressed,” he said.

He said it could be the reason for PAS to reject Wan Azizah as it would be better to retain the existing menteri besar or other candidate who could discharge the duties of a Menteri Besar effectively.

Last Monday, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah granted an audience to Abdul Khalid to be retained as Menteri Besar after he was sacked from PKR.