Following yesterday’s by-election victory, PKR has heralded the "Kajang Move" as a success but as far as Khalid Ibrahim is concerned, the architects have failed in their attempt to oust him as Selangor menteri besar.

His position is further solidified now that the seat is in the hands of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is said to be a strong ally of the corporate leader turned politician, unlike her husband, who backs Khalid’s supposed arch-nemesis, Azmin Ali.

In his congratulatory message to Wan Azizah today, Khalid described it as a boon for PKR’s reform agenda.

However, he stressed that “government structure and mechanisms” would not change.

"Although the results do not alter the structure and awnings of government mechanisms, the mandate given by the people would be the catalyst for PKR government to work harder and tirelessly for the welfare of the people," he added.

Khalid (below, left, with Azmin), who was the by-election director, also called the outcome a “sweet victory” since PKR garnered more voters from the Malay community and young voters.

Notably, the menteri besar made no mention of the “Kajang move”.

Under that strategy, ex-Kajang state assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh had vacated his seat to trigger the by-election to allow Anwar to contest and eventually become the MB.

However, following his sodomy conviction, Anwar could not contest.

Prior to the by-election, a survey by the state-owned University Selangor (Unisel) also revealed that those polled wanted Khalid to remain at the helm of the state administration.

In his statement, Khalid also downplayed how PKR won back the Kajang seat with a smaller majority.

"The lower voter turnout at 72.1 percent, down from 88.4 percent during GE13, is expected from a by-election and this indirectly accounts for our lower majority.

"However, this does not mean that the victory has no significant impact on the people and Selangor," he added.

Khalid said the election showed that the people reject aggressive and provocative campaigns that are filled with violent and divisive elements.

Khalid, who has served as Selangor MB since 2008, said that Selangorians returned PKR to power to show that they also want a government that is "transparent, responsible and full of integrity."

Wan Azizah beat MCA's Chew Mei Fun in a straight fight in polling yesterday with PKR receiving 16,741 votes against BN's 11,362 votes.