TANJONG KARANG, April 1 – The tussle for the Selangor Menteri Besar’s post is getting more intense between two PKR strongmen. In the latest move, incumbent Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim tried to check Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Azmin Ali by declaring PKR President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail as an eligible candidate for the post should PKR retain the state in the 13th general election.
Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Noh Omar(pic)said Abdul Khalid is seen to be in a bind following a statement by Azmin earlier that the MB was needed at the federal level should the opposition form the government.
“They (PKR Selangor) are not even sure of winning yet the party is already split over the post,” he told reporters after a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Tanjong Karang Farmers’ Institute of Management and the launch of Selangor Farmers’ Organisation Authority touch point, here today.
Noh who is also the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister was commenting on Abdul Khalid’s statement yesterday that Wan Azizah was an eligible candidate for the post of Selangor Menteri Besar, when replying to speculations that the PKR president may stand for a state seat in Selangor.
Abdul Khalid however, said among the criteria to become the Menteri Besar was that the identity card should state the person was residing in Selangor and the appointment of the Menteri Besar is decided by the Sultan based on the state constitution.
Azmin had earlier issued a statement that Selangor would get a new Menteri Besar to replace Abdul Khalid should the opposition win the 13th general election as Abdul Khalid would be needed at the federal level.
In this regard, Noh said the people of Selangor should be aware that the state cannot afford to have an administration that was engaged in a power struggle. Commenting on the possibility that Wan Azizah would be contesting for a state seat, Noh said this showed Selangor was now the focus of political parasites rejected by other states.
“It appears that her husband is going to stand in Selangor and now his wife is coming too, as if both are running from Penang to Selangor, so why not bring along their children as well?,” he said.
Meanwhile, Noh said the government has approved RM28 million for 272 farmers’ organisations nationwide, especially for farmers who do not receive any assistance from the government to grow crops like coconut, vegetables and other cash crops.
BERNAMA
