Now that the situation in the Selangor state government seems uncertain (as it usually does every six months or so), this time because of the all-but-confirmed dissolution of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition that has held power in the state, an unlikely figure has stepped forward to offer his services to rescue the state from chaos and anarchy.
Welcome back, Khalid Ibrahim?
The former PKR Menteri Besar, who was ousted from his party and his state position last year to make way for PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (at first) and then for current MB Azmin Ali, has said that he is willing to helm Selangor once more, in the name of dispelling any uncertainty over the state government’s political makeup (and to get him back in the MB’s office).
“Yes I am willing (to return) to ensure that Selangor is administered with transparency, accountability, competency and is free from corruption,” Khalid told The Malay Mail Online‘s Shazwan Mustafa Kamal.
However, the Port Klang state assemblyman insisted that he would only consider taking up the post again should he win a simple majority in a vote of confidence in the Selangor State Assembly.
Selangor’s government has been in a bit of a tailspin since the DAP announced Pakatan was dead, following its former partner PAS’s declaration that despite wanting to remain in PR, it would no longer cooperate in any way with the DAP.
PKR, to whom MB Azmin belongs, only holds 13 state seats in the 56-seat Selangor assembly, with PAS and DAP holding 15 seats each.
Without either DAP or PAS, Azmin would only have 28 seats, or exactly half, of Selangor’s state assemblymen under his control.
Khalid, zeroing in on this fresh upheaval, is positioning himself as the unifying, stabilising force in Selangor politics – and his current stature as the state’s only independent assemblyman is sure to sweeten the pot for any party wanting to rope him in.
“Excessive political manoeuvring and shenanigans have again taken the priority over the wellbeing and welfare of the Selangor people,” he said, while totally not engaging in political manoeuvering and shenanigan-like behaviour.
“Greed, insensitivity and lack of magnanimity all are ingredients for deep distrust, non-cooperation and finally a fallout. Sadly in the end, the rakyat are the biggest losers,” Khalid added.
Good luck, Selangor!
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