A media frenzy descended on Azmin Ali the moment news broke out that he was to be sworn in as the 15th menteri besar of Selangor.

The mainstream media that used to describe him  with epithets like ‘arrogant’, ruthless’ and ‘Anwar loyalist’ appeared to have found a new respect for him. Before that, Azmin was portrayed as the ambitious plotter; out to oust a popular, clean and industrious menteri besar in Khalid Ibrahim.

All that changed overnight with Azmin’s appointment. He became a favourite of the pro-Umno media. Support came in from all sections of the political spectrum and sometimes from the most unlikely quarters. Even Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had Azmin detained briefly under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1998, gave his open support. Such is the turn-around of the traditional pro-establishment media ever since the new menteri besar’s appointment.

There is a special aura around one who wields power and Azmin is no exception. His good looks and relative youth have found instant popularity and he seems to attract disproportionate attention wherever he goes.

Therein lies the danger. Azmin must remember that a precious few have left the Selangor menteri besar’s office on a positive note. The list of those who stumbled is far too long to be repeated here.

Azmin’s tenure and performance is crucial for Pakatan’s political future and Malaysian’s desire for a two-party system to check the excesses of a single party domination. If he does well, his sterling performance will not only see him earning accolades and overwhelming support from the people to be re-elected to office but also spearhead Pakatan’s journey to Putrajaya.

The PKR deputy president must rise above the trappings of power and its seductive pull. Far too many of the previous occupants of the Selangor Menteri Besar’s Office fell by the wayside and this should be etched in his active memory at all times. There are high hopes on Azmin. He had always wanted the office and now the moment has arrived for him to deliver.

His is a big burden. Azmin must steer clear of the false trappings of power and move quickly to stamp his mark. He must have a monomaniacal focus on elevating the quality of life for all Selangorians.

He must also be wary of physical development that is skewed towards the well connected business community - ‘development’ that diminishes our natural resources and that leads to acute environmental degradation. Instead, the focus should be on sustainable development that elevates the lives of all the Selangor people as well as supports their desire to live in a clean, harmonious and safe environment

My fervent hope is that Azmin will rise to the task.    

M MANOHARAN is the former state assemblyperson for Kota Alam Shah.