KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has turned out to be an unlikely believer in Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, saying the embattled Selangor mentri besar will remain in power despite reports of a internal coup within PKR to unseat him.
Khir claimed that PKR lawmakers had been dissatisfied with Khalid’s running of the state for some time, but said the rebellion would not amount to anything as the mentri besar had the support of allies DAP.
“It will quite impossible to remove Khalid as mentri besar. First of all Khalid’s support in Selangor is strong, very solid.
“Khalid is there because of DAP, not because of PKR. There is full support from Khalid to remain as MB. Several DAP leaders have confirmed that with me,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider in an interview.
The former Selangor Mentri Besar went on to say that PKR did not call the shots to the governing of the state, and claimed that the position of MB was subject to the approval of DAP.
“DAP is in control. They want him (Khalid) to remain as MB, because he has allowed himself to be used by DAP. As long as Khalid allows himself to used by DAP, he will remain in power,” said the state opposition chief.
Khir claimed that the PKR MPs were divided into two factions — those aligned to party vice-president Azmin Ali and those who were Khalid loyalists.
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“You take the Khalid loyalists and you add DAP MPs who support Khalid, and you will see why the revolt won’t work,” claimed the Umno man.
Khir scoffed at the idea of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stepping in to resolve the conflict at this weekend’s party retreat.
“Even with Anwar coming in, nothing can be done, Khalid is quite solid as boss,” he said.
The Umno man added the impending revolt were signs of PKR losing grip on Selangor.
“Khalid is too corporate. He must balance between making profit and giving welfare to the public.”
He said that it was not surprising of talks that Azmin was behind the coup, as he had always wanted to become mentri besar.
“Azmin always wanted to be MB. I saw his face when Khalid was sworn in as MB, he was crying,” laughed Khir when referring to the Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
But the state opposition leader remained cautious about BN’s chances in regaining the state, despite obvious cracks in Pakatan Rakyat state government.
“Unfortunately in Selangor, the opposition is in a weak position. Umno is still weak... but we are moving ahead structurally, we are preparing, when the time is right we will strike.
“For now, I would say it is still a 50/50 chance between PR and BN in Selangor,” Khir said.
Khalid has dismissed the alleged revolt by 15 PKR MPs against him as mere speculation but called for a meeting last night which sources said was related to the issue.
PKR has been thrown into disarray since two of the party’s lawmakers recently confirmed that a “coup” to remove Khalid from office was being led by Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Bahrain Abbas, who has denied the accusation.
The alleged revolt is believed to have started from Azmin’s resignation in the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) three days ago.
Khalid had dismissed the revolt as mere speculation.
Former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has turned out to be an unlikely believer in Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim — file pic
“It will quite impossible to remove Khalid as mentri besar. First of all Khalid’s support in Selangor is strong, very solid.
“Khalid is there because of DAP, not because of PKR. There is full support from Khalid to remain as MB. Several DAP leaders have confirmed that with me,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider in an interview.
The former Selangor Mentri Besar went on to say that PKR did not call the shots to the governing of the state, and claimed that the position of MB was subject to the approval of DAP.
“DAP is in control. They want him (Khalid) to remain as MB, because he has allowed himself to be used by DAP. As long as Khalid allows himself to used by DAP, he will remain in power,” said the state opposition chief.
Khir claimed that the PKR MPs were divided into two factions — those aligned to party vice-president Azmin Ali and those who were Khalid loyalists.
Grab a Celcom Blue Bear(TM) and stand to walk away with RM10,000!
“You take the Khalid loyalists and you add DAP MPs who support Khalid, and you will see why the revolt won’t work,” claimed the Umno man.
Khir scoffed at the idea of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stepping in to resolve the conflict at this weekend’s party retreat.
“Even with Anwar coming in, nothing can be done, Khalid is quite solid as boss,” he said.
The Umno man added the impending revolt were signs of PKR losing grip on Selangor.
“Khalid is too corporate. He must balance between making profit and giving welfare to the public.”
He said that it was not surprising of talks that Azmin was behind the coup, as he had always wanted to become mentri besar.
“Azmin always wanted to be MB. I saw his face when Khalid was sworn in as MB, he was crying,” laughed Khir when referring to the Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
But the state opposition leader remained cautious about BN’s chances in regaining the state, despite obvious cracks in Pakatan Rakyat state government.
“Unfortunately in Selangor, the opposition is in a weak position. Umno is still weak... but we are moving ahead structurally, we are preparing, when the time is right we will strike.
“For now, I would say it is still a 50/50 chance between PR and BN in Selangor,” Khir said.
Khalid has dismissed the alleged revolt by 15 PKR MPs against him as mere speculation but called for a meeting last night which sources said was related to the issue.
PKR has been thrown into disarray since two of the party’s lawmakers recently confirmed that a “coup” to remove Khalid from office was being led by Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Bahrain Abbas, who has denied the accusation.
The alleged revolt is believed to have started from Azmin’s resignation in the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) three days ago.
Khalid had dismissed the revolt as mere speculation.
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