We refer to the reports 'Rift in Pakatan' and 'Kapar MP free to go, says Khalid' published in The Star dated Dec 28.

The said reports were based on a short press conference held by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim on the evening of Dec 27 at the Curve, Kota Damansara after launching the state’s Christmas celebration.

We would like to state that:

1 At no time during the press conference did the menteri besar say that ‘he was not interested to meet Kapar MP S Manikavasagam or ask him to reconsider his decision to quit PKR as stated in the Page N1 article.

2. When the menteri besar was asked if he was willing to meet the Kapar MP, he replied that as a parliamentarian, it would be a better avenue for MP to meet the party’s leader.

We would also like to stress that there was nothing mentioned on ‘Kapar MP is free to go’ as suggested in the of the page N6 article.

During the press conference, the menteri besar was asked and he had stressed that the Kapar MP was free to make his decision and that he was mature enough to make a good decision as a representative to more than 100,000 voters in his constituency and being a member of PKR.

The ,enteri besar also repeatedly stated that the best forum to thrash out the issue would be the party’s political bureau.

We take a serious view of the distortion of facts by the said publication and hope that it will be more responsible and accurate in its coverage of the state government and the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

The writer is represents the Press Secretariate, Selangor Menteri Besar Office.