Selangor MB crisis: PAS forced to ‘share burden’ of problems created by PKR, says Hadi

(The Star) – PAS has accused its ally PKR, of “creating a problem out of nothing” in its attempt to replace Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party had been forced to “share the burden” in Selangor after PKR initiated the “Kajang move” and subsequently decided to replace Khalid with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“What has happened the past few days is a small matter. To those who are only just learning politics, it seems like a burden. The problem in Selangor is not our problem. It is a problem that was created by our friends and we are now forced to share in the burden,” he said during a ceramah in Terengganu, which was uploaded on YouTube on Friday.

Hadi said PAS had chosen to support Khalid because he was a trustworthy leader and had provided a valid explanation for his actions when questioned by a panel of Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including himself.

“We left it to PKR to run Selangor, and they were successful in their first term. Then all of a sudden there was a problem.

“First, PKR said Khalid was stingy and greedy, and refused to provide funds for state development, to which Khalid told me that the money was not his, it was the people’s,” he explained.

In his speech, Hadi also criticised the Kajang move, which is now to have been an early step in ousting Khalid.

PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh resigned on January 27 to make way for Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the seat. However, due to a speedy conviction in Anwar’s sodomy case, his wife Dr Wan Azizah ran in his place.

“The (Kajang) assemblyman was asked to step down. We were informed about the move without even a meeting. PAS said that we did not agree, that this was not how things are done. The general election had just passed, and to suddenly have a re-election is not right,” he said, explaining that PAS eventually relented and agreed to a by-election because they were in the same coalition.

“At the time, the mentri besar issue did not arise. Suddenly, there was a call to change the mentri besar. Letters of accusation against Khalid started to spread. As an Islamic party, the accusations must be looked at fairly. If it is not treated with justice and a verdict is given on a whim, then it would be a cruel action,” Hadi said, adding that Khalid had received PAS’ backing because of his honesty.