After a protracted and very public struggle to hold on to the post of Selangor Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim today apologised to the people of his state for dragging them into what has become one of the most high-profile political controversies of the year.
Speaking in front of about 200 staff members of the state-owned Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) today, Khalid apologised for involving Selangor residents and employees of the state government in his efforts to defend his personal integrity.
“I’m sorry for the added scrutiny you’ve all been under. Personally, extra scrutiny is fine, because I chose to be a politician … so I have to endure it,” The Malaysian Insider quotes him as saying during an event at the Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC).
“I apologise to all of you, who did not come here to be involved in this situation,” he added. “This is the price of integrity.”
Khalid, who was expelled from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), is struggling to fend off Pakatan Rakyat’s push to have PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail take over his job as the head of the Selangor executive branch.
While he still has the consent of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to stay on in office, eroding support for him in the Selangor state legislative assembly and the shrinking sze of his exco cabinet – he fired six PKR and DAP exco members last week, leaving him with only four PAS excos – leaves him in an increasingly precarious position.
See Also:
Despite Wan Azizah endorsement, Khalid Ibrahim isn’t budging from Selangor MB post
Sultan of Selangor consents to Khalid Ibrahim continuing as Menteri Besar
Selangor palace doesn’t want to meet PKR to talk about MB Khalid’s expulsion
PKR-PAS discussions on Selangor MB hits dead end
MB Khalid fires all PKR and DAP Excos; Pakatan Rakyat loses control of Selangor
Six fired Selangor excos say sacking was illegal, are going to work as usual
Selangor MB crisis: PAS excos will quit if Khalid appoints UMNO assemblymen to cabinet
Selangor MB Crisis: Fired Pakatan excos given two weeks to clear out their offices
