Anwar says Khalid is still a close friend

(The Rakyat Post) – PKR supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will always be his friend despite the circumstances surrounding his dismissal from the party.

Stating that Abdul Khalid’s contributions to the state and party have been immense, Anwar called on party members not to criticise the now-Independent Abdul Khalid.

“Let us not deny his good deeds for Selangor and the party.

“Tan Sri (Abdul Khalid) is my friend and he was family. He is an excellent man, a good businessman who champions transparency in handling state and party affairs,” he said in his closing speech at the 10th PKR Congress, here, today.

Anwar claimed despite many calls from many including PKR deputy president Mohamad Azmin Ali to address Abdul Khalid on various state affairs, he continued to defend him.

“I remember to have even held his hand on one occasion in support of him,” he said despite having faced criticisms from fellow supporters on how weak Abdul Khalid was.

Claiming that he was only abiding by the party’s decision, Anwar also confessed of not agreeing to the sacking of Abdul Khalid by the party when it was discussed during the PKR central leadership council.

Anwar also maintained that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s and his silence over Abdul Khalid was due to the huge respect for him.

However, Anwar did asked Abdul Khalid to listen to the grouses of the people and party over various issues stating the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) and the poorly maintained Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) hall.

“He should at least lend a ear to these issues, when he is very aware of the public’s objection to the Kidex highway proposal for instance,” he said.

Anwar expressed hope that Abdul Khalid will still ensure a smooth transition for the sake of the state government.

“We (Wan Azizah and I) will always pray for him,” he added.

Abdul Khalid was sacked by PKR recently for refusing to adhere to the party’s decision to replace him with Wan Azizah as the Selangor Menteri Besar following the “Kajang Move”.