Khalid expected to be named MB, with new exco line-up

This is the fourth day after the general election, and there is still no sign of the new Selangor menteri besar to be sworn in.

Unlike the other two Pakatan states that have already sworn in their state chiefs, the delay has fuelled speculation that Pakatan Rakyat may drop incumbent MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim

The speculation was sparked by PKR winning only 14 state seats compared with 15 each by DAP and PAS.

Sources told Malaysiakini that although some grassroots PAS leaders feel that the MB's job should go to their party, this view  is not shared by the top leadership.

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have both thrown their support behind Khalid Ibrahim for his second term.

With strong support from the two Pakatan partners, it is likely that Khalid will eventually be named for the post, although a PKR faction wants Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali to fill that office.

And despite some complaints about Khalid's allegedly inflexible style of work, sources said he scored points for the Selangor government’s excellent track record over the past five years.

Under his leadership, Pakatan Rakyat also won more than two-thirds majority in the hotly contested election against a BN that was bent on retaking the state at all cost.

Exco shakeup expected

Sources also said Pakatan Rakyat components are currently negotiating the entire exco in a package which was holding up the naming of the state MB.

Being discussed are names for the state speaker, senior executive councillor and the exco quotas.

The previous exco quota for PKR-DAP-PAS was 4-3-3 respectively.

But with PAS winning more seats than PKR, the latter may need to give up one exco post to PAS, or let PAS take the senior exco post. The previous senior exco, DAP'S Teresa Kok, did not contest a state seat this time.

While Khalid is expected to remain as the MB, he may face a new line up of exco members, with all three parties likely to replace their old faces.

According to sources, Selangor PAS might drop all its 2008 term exco members appointed by their former state chief Hasan Ali, including Halimah Ali and Iskandar Abd Samad.

Ahmad Yunus, who replaced Hasan as exco after the latter's sacking, is expected to retain his post.

For PKR, although it is learnt that Azmin ( above ) himself is not vying for the MB post, but wants his men to be in the exco.

Xavier, Elizabeth Wong to go?

It is also learnt that Azmin may axe incumbent excos Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and Elizabeth Wong, and replace them with Amirudin Shari and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, with the excuse of enhancing Malay representation.

Besides the duo, another incumbent PKR exco Yaakob Sapari is expected to be dropped due to alleged poor performance, while Rodziah Ismail may be retained.

In the meantime, after the departures of Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu from state seats, the DAP exco line-up is also attracting  much attention.

While probably keeping party dissident Teng Chang Khim ( left ) as the state speaker, Selangor DAP may choose first term assemblyperson Ganapathy Rao as the exco to fill the Indian quota.

While another incumbent exco Ean Yong Hian Wah is likely to be retained, and the only remaining seat may go to Lau Weng San or Lee Kee Hiong, or as a peace offering to Teng, Ng Suee Lim from his faction.

Pakatan will still need to submit the candidates list to the Selangor Sultan for approval and sources say this will be in the next few days.