COMMENT The removal of the Selangor menteri besar from his party, PKR, has caused factionalism in Pakatan Rakyat and has created a huge gap within the coalition movement.

Why the sudden urge to unseat Abdul Khalid Ibrahim? Khalid, once touted to be an honourable leader, is now suddenly portrayed to be arrogant and stubborn.

The embattled menteri Besar has challenged his sacking from PKR as “flawed and illegal” and has vowed to remain. Khalid claimed that there is a conspiracy of the highest order to oust him.

Whether the removal/expulsion of Khalid is flawed and illegal what remains as a matter of grave concern to the rakyat of Selangor are:
  • The water crisis;
  • The seizure of the Bibles in Malay and Iban by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department;
  • The Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex);
  • And the pay rise of the Selangor state representatives.
Khalid, on the other hand, announced that he still had the majority support of the state assembly which is doubtful, says PKR and DAP. The two political parties are keen to resolve the fiasco decently but the decision of PAS to support Khalid has created an atmosphere of complete uneasiness.

Khalid was accused to have defied the party’s central committee decision and the action taken against him allegedly deviates from the values of justice causing some to loose confidence in the party.

Moreover, the Khalid saga has seriously strained relationship between the coalition and much is not known why PAS is adamant that Khalid should be kept until the expiry of his term in office.

The steady leaning of PAS in favour of Khalid has raised a few questions:
  • Is PAS keen to divorce from the coalition?
  • Why is PAS not keen to observe the agreed policies and rules of the coalition?
  • And why is PAS not in favour of Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail?
Giving rise to complications

The refusal by PAS has given rise to complications. Can the remaining members of Pakatan namely the DAP and PKR initiate disciplinary action against PAS? By reason of PAS’s abstainance the roars of jubilance by supporters for PAS, namely by the non-Malays, may either dwindle or fizzle out. It would be interesting to see how PAS would spectacularly wrestle its way out of this mass.

While the DAP and PKR would continue to serve the rakyat of Selangor and is unlikely to concede defeat, the PAS flags which once dotted the political landscape of Malaysian politics and campaign may soon disappear and the ‘PAS for all’ slogan now appears false to many. Perhaps there is a real need for Pakatan to return to the negotiating table to restore trust.

Additionally, in a sudden change of event, Muhiyydin Yasin was reported by Bernama as saying that BN Selangor supports Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as menteri besar. A new scenario has now unfolded in Selangor. Are we anticipating a cross-over and a change in government in the state of Selangor? If a change in government is eminent how effectively the interest of the non-Malays would be protected?

Perhaps these are pressing matters that political parties should collectively address or otherwise it may create far greater divisions within the state.


R KENGADHARAN is a lawyer and former ISA detainee.