Azmin said he merely ‘advised’ Khalid.
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Azmin said he had merely “advised” Khalid to pay heed to the grouses of businessmen who were unhappy with the speed at which their permits were being processed.
“Approvals must be quick, transparent and responsible. This is what we advised. We didn’t ask that Tan Sri Khalid be let go,” he said at Quality Hotel here where PKR is having its weekend retreat.
“We never said that Tan Sri Khalid should be fired. No. The leadership and I merely feel that the mentri besar and his exco must give serious attention to the advice given by party members in Kota Baru (during the recent party convention).”
However, he added that it was unfortunate that action had yet to be taken one month on from the PKR Congress held in Kelantan.
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 from PKNS three days ago.
Khalid has dismissed the revolt as mere speculation.
Azmin said Selangor’s economy would be slowed down by lengthy approval times and too much bureaucracy as it was based on investment, industry and land, not natural resources.
“This is our concern... as a leader, not a question of challenging any individual,” he said.
He added that he was prepared to give his full support to Khalid and his team but cautioned that they will have to take a more proactive attitude towards developing the state economy.
“Our message [to Khalid] is that the problem is serious,” he said.
“Complaints and criticisms from the business community and the people of Selangor are serious and must be addressed immediately. That’s all.”
Azmin reiterated his support for Khalid but said that as a mentri besar who has been entrusted by PKR to translate the party agenda to policy, Khalid should do it as soon as possible without bureaucracy, graft, misuse of power and bribery.
“From this point of view, Tan Sri Khalid has done a good job, meaning his administration is clean. There’s no graft, misuse of power or bribery. But the problem of [excessive] bureaucracy remains, and this has be fixed,” he said.
He said Selangor had to perform at its best because it was a “role model” to showcase the policies and administrative capabilities of Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
“If this can be done, I don’t see Pakatan Rakyat having any problems getting to Putrajaya.”
Azmin said that Barisan Nasional (BN) and the media have mistaken his motives due to “cultural” differences.
“I feel the media, Umno and Barisan Nasional have never seen such a culture of openness,” he said.
He said BN MPs and state assemblymen who comment on their leadership would have been blacklisted.
“But for us, we advise our leaders openly because we love the party and this state,” he said.
Azmin also denied any knowledge of an anti-Khalid faction within PKR.
“I never said Pakatan 15 or Group of 15. This is all media terminology. There is no pakatan (alliance), only Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.
The DAP earlier today issued a statement warning PKR to keep its house in order and to sort out any internal bickering at its current weekend retreat as rumours of the coup have begun to negatively affect PR component parties.
Klang MP Charles Santiago said PAS and DAP will soon meet up with Khalid to discuss the latest matters pertaining to the state.
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