A number of PKR division and branch leaders have called on Selangor MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to respect the party's decision to replace him and step down willingly.

Pledging their "undivided loyalty" to party president and Kajang assemblyperson Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, they said she was the "most qualified" among the party's state assemblypersons to hold the post.

"We wish to advise Khalid to respect the party decision and relinquish his position gracefully and with a willing heart, for the sake of the continuity of the state's administration and for the benefit of the Selangor people.".

This was said by Subang division chief and MP Sivarasa Rasiah ( above ), Selayang division chief and MP William Leong, Klang division chief Yew Boon Lye and Sg Jarom branch chief David Cheong in a joint statement last night.

They hoped that the transition of power would be done in an orderly and respectable manner, asking Khalid cooperate.

The group reminded Khalid that refusal to let go of his post only spoils the MB's own image.

"The grassroots will question what his true motives are if he takes such an attitude (of refusing to go), and this will only benefit the enemies of Pakatan Rakyat.

The grassroots, they said, still had high hopes that Pakatan would bring reform and change for the betterment of Selangor.

The four asked that all PKR leaders including assemblypersons and exco members to set aside their differences and unite to support the July 21 Pakatan Rakyat leadership council's decision to appoint Wan Azizah as the MB.

This morning Leong ( above ) also held a press conference reiterating the call, saying Khalid had failed to run the state according to the Pakatan manifesto.

Khalid, stressed Leong, had failed to make Selangor a "model state" to show the coalition's administrative strengths.