After first term, Khalid ran Selangor like his own firm, say ex-excos

There was fierce opposition to the Kidex highway from Petaling Jaya residents, yet embattled Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim ignored it and approved the Umno-linked project. This was among the reasons PKR sacked him. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 16, 2014.

In his second term as the Selangor menteri besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim became difficult to work with, said several former state executive councillors, as they revealed what soured his ties with his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleagues.

According to them, Khalid ignored the views of the executive councillors, made unilateral decisions on important matters, such as the purchase of water assets and highway projects apart from running the state like his own company.

They said this style of management was in stark contrast to Khalid's first term from 2008 when as a political greenhorn and little experience in running a state, he was all ears to his colleagues from PKR, DAP and PAS.

"In the first five years, he would listen and encourage us and that was how things were done," said one former executive councillor, who spoke to The Malaysian Insider on condition of anonymity.

But the former executive councillor also said that even during Khalid’s first term, it was somewhat "stressful" working with him as they had to "haggle" with him and demand for funding to run programmes for the people.

The executive councillors had to press Khalid numerous times to loosen the purse's strings on the state reserves, which had been piling up, to implement projects and programmes at the local level for the public, said his former colleague.

But things took a turn for the worse after last year's general election when Khalid was reappointed as the Selangor menteri besar, the politician said.

He made decisions unilaterally without any proper communication with his excos and assemblymen, federal and state lawmakers encountered difficulties meeting him to discuss matters affecting the state, and he had an estranged relationship with his party PKR.

"He would listen to the advice and suggestions made by the party but they were not carried out," the politician added.

Citing an example, the former colleague said assemblymen had put forward suggestions for the state budget but Khalid disregarded their views, and went ahead with what he thought
was best for Selangor.

Among the issue cited was the restructuring of the state water industry being linked to the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant – a project the menteri besar had opposed for years before finally agreeing to it a few months ago.

Another former exco said Khalid has a know-it-all attitude, which frustrated those dealing with him.

"He thinks he knows best, he would do things and make decisions all on his own. He has no respect for his own party and the wishes of his allies in Pakatan. It is very difficult to deal with him," said the second PR politician.

The former executive councillor also said Khalid's handling of the contentious Kidex highway was an example of how he tended to ignore people's concerns, adding that the Port Klang assemblyman was not sensitive to the public pressure faced by his assemblymen.

The contentious 14km elevated expressway linking Kinrara to Damansara passes over a part of old Petaling Jaya, raising an outcry among residents of Selangor's biggest city.

The project is owned by an Umno lawyer and the family of a former top judge and has already received conditional state approval to objections from PR lawmakers and residents.

The first former executive councillor to speak to The Malaysain Insider also said the issue of Khalid's RM66.67 million loan with Bank Islam was in the background but the MB had assured them it was a personal matter and that he would "overcome" it, so the exco
did not pursue the matter.

Khalid's out-of-court settlement with Bank Islam is among reasons cited by PKR for replacing the two-term MB with president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as the party alleged had raised questions over his integrity.

Khalid is now embroiled in a bitter tussle with PKR over the MB's post and has refused to step down despite intense pressure.

Despite being expelled by PKR for refusing to follow the party’s decision that he step down to make for Dr Wan Azizah, the second-term MB has remained obstinate by seeking the blessing of the sultan of Selangor to continue governing the state.

Khalid sacked five DAP and PKR executive councillors in Selangor while one other PKR executive councillor quit, leaving him with the support of four PAS members in the state government.

On Thursday, Dr Wan Azizah showed proof she had the backing of at least 30 assemblymen out of the 56-seat assembly to be the next MB and urged Khalid to step down but the rebellious MB said he was staying put until the state assembly votes otherwise.

- TMI