KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Embattled Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim called on Selangor voters today to stay supportive of the “current leadership” and to respect the state ruler, even as calls for his removal by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders continue to grow.
In his Aidilfitri address, the second-term mentri besar said that loyalty towards the Sultan and the administration is in line with Islamic teachings, which he said requires Muslims to be loyal to the Prophet and the line of leadership that follows his rule.
“As the head of a government of the richest and most modern state, it is apt that I remind myself and the rakyat that we respect the Institution of Rulers as the leader of the state and also towards the current leadership,” he said.
Khalid also appeared to suggest that he remains the legitimate mentri besar as he was elected by the Selangor voters, saying this was evident in the last election.
“In administrative politics, leaders come and go while governance change in forms and style.
“However, the transition proves to be better and beneficial to the voters and country of it the (changes) were decided by the majority of people through elections,” he said.
Khalid also touted the success of his administration’s policies, including the popular free water scheme, as evidence of his ability to lead the state.
He revealed that more projects are slated for this year, stressing on their importance for the people of Selangor.
The projects included the third Klang bridge meant to solve the heavy congestion problem in that city, as well as efforts to increase rural per capita income.
Following growing complaints over his policies, Khalid’s party PKR had announced their intention to replace the latter with president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail with allies the DAP expressing its agreement to the move.
But PAS has since disagreed to the idea.
Last night, its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang openly expressed his support for Khalid, who has also stated his refusal to step down, a move observers say could push Selangor deeper into a leadership crisis.
“I have heard all the arguments, and I find that majority of PAS grassroots are in agreement that Khalid Ibrahim should remain as mentri besar,” Hadi was quoted as saying in Terengganu.
Observers and politicians also believe that the impasse could force the state to call for early elections.
The PAS president had reportedly given Khalid a personal assurance during a recent private buka puasa session that the party would back him even if PKR and DAP decided otherwise.
Prolonged talks of unseating Khalid are not new, but the matter finally reached PR’s powerful presidential council for deliberation last Wednesday following PKR’s nomination of Dr Wan Azizah.
It is said that PAS and DAP will give an official answer after Hari Raya next week.
Khalid survived his own party’s abortive “Kajang Move” to oust him from the position last March, but surfacing controversies in the state have since renewed the push to have him replaced.
Among others, these include the still-unresolved row over the seizure of bibles in the state and Khalid’s perceived partiality towards the developers of the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) that is facing mounting resistance from state residents.
A major barrier to Khalid’s removal was the absence of a clear candidate to replace him, with Dr Wan Azizah previously being touted as the most likely candidate.