Poll of twitter users suggests Khalid’s ouster not in ‘public interest’

(Malay Mail Online) – Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) determination to see Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim leave his post has not been supported by many local residents, according to a poll analysis by research firm Politweet.org.

In the analysis on an opinion poll based on tweets by 2,062 Twitter users from August 9 to 15, the independent online research firm found that PKR’s grounds for sacking Khalid for was seen to be “unfair and unreasonable” as the latter is viewed to have performed admirably in governing the country’s richest state.

The federal opposition did not convince 22 per cent of people in the poll, who thought  the ouster is not in public interest, and incidentally damaged PR’s reputation.

“Pakatan’s (primarily PKR’s) actions during this whole crisis were widely criticised, even by users who accepted Tan Sri Khalid’s dismissal. PR was seen as taking action against Tan Sri Khalid in their own interest and not the people’s interest.

“As a result of this analysis we can say that the public perceive Tan Sri Khalid as a well-respected people’s representative and not a political party representative,” Politweet said on its Facebook page today.

The research firm noted that 10 per cent or 206 users gave mixed responses but ultimately had turned their backs on PR for causing the crisis with much more pressing concerns at bay especially declining water levels in Selangor’s reservoirs and the dengue outbreak.

Those in this group also questioned PR’s reasons for retaining Khalid after Election 2013 given the federal opposition pact’s prior admission that Khalid has been a problem.

Another five per cent or 115 Twitter users were also recorded mixed responses but opposed to Dr Wan Azizah’s nomination, citing among others, as the PKR president was not born in Selangor and that she is seen as a “proxy” for her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has been widely blamed for the power grab.

Smaller groups of users, or three per cent, were expressedly “fed up” with the state of politics while three per cent felt it was best to pave the way for snap polls to end the impasse.

But nearly half of the the tweets polled held no opinion whatsoever on the crisis apart from questioning PR’s motives, taking “pity” on Khalid and retweeting related news articles, among others.

Khalid was sacked from PKR last weekend for insubordination, after refusing to relinquish his post to make way for his party’s president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to take over as Selangor mentri besar.

Embattled Khalid, subsequently, removed all PKR and DAP representatives from his executive council despite both parties making up half of the 56-member state assembly apart from retaining four PAS exco members – the bare minimum needed for him to run the government.

Politweet found that the Langat 2 was seen as a “good move” to end Selangor’s water woes, which saw state-wide water rationing from February to April after water levels at the Sungai Selangor dam reached dangerously low levels due to a prolonged drought.

Twitter users also felt that PKR had not sufficiently backed its assertion that Khalid’s integrity has been compromised over the out-of-court settlement with Bank Islam over his RM70 million debt.

“The water supply issue was also seen as more important than a change in mentri besar,” said the firm, adding that several tweets indicated that Khalid would be able to perform better without political interference.

Politweet also noted a pattern had emerged in the tweets polled showing users doubtful of PR’s leadership, which in turn added to their resolve in supporting Khalid.

“When Tan Sri Khalid dismissed the State Excos following their refusal to meet him, users responded with praise for Tan Sri Khalid. They saw it as a bold move and decisive leadership,” it said, adding that the fired executive councillors had only earned criticism when they had showed up for work the next day.

Only 10 per cent or 209 users agreed with PKR’s decision to axe Khalid, and encourage the latter to step down despite harbouring some reluctance.

According to Politweet, the majority of users were “neutral, grateful or sad” while a few users accused Khalid of “betraying” Selangor’s electorate for refusing to bow to the party’s decision.

“(Very few users) asked Tan Sri Khalid to leave because he is too clean for politics,” said the firm.

PKR, PAS and the DAP settled yesterday on Dr Wan Azizah as their sole candidate to replace Khalid, despite PAS’s earlier proposal to add PKR deputy president Azmin Ali to the list, which would provide the Selangor palace an alternative choice.

PR’s collective decision yesterday ended the months-long bickering within the federal opposition pact that had raised the spectre of a split at one point, when the PAS conservative faction and party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang threw their backing behind Khalid.

Politweet added that the PR’s reputation now hangs by a thread and the damage can only be undone if the crisis is resolve soon; the allegations levelled against Khalid are proven; and, an affirmation that Khalid’s replacement would be better than him.