Selangor state representatives have expressed dissatisfaction over Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's  performance in handling attacks from the opposition.

khalid ibrahim pc 120809 01 Khalid's ( left ) slow responses were raised at PKR's central leadership council briefing chaired by the party's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

Sources told Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity that questions were raised over his capabilities to fend off BN's purported offensive against the state government.

“He (Khalid) has to respond fast and more aggressively,” said a source. “He gives too much authority to civil servants. He does not understand that most of them are still supporters of the former BN government, so they take opportunities to delay matters, Khalid has to be bold and haul up these slackers.”

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the party from other states but the focus was mainly on Selangor, he added.

Points of contention

The MACC's incesssant harassment on the issue of state allocations and the recent remand of Kota Anggerik Yaakob Sapari's aide Hussein Ahmad following allegations of corruption over the sale of sand, were also points of contention in the meeting.

xavier jayakumar pc 190110 01 According to the source, a representative expressed concern over the investigation and noted that Khalid, Yaacob and Selangor state executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar ( right ), could be charged or nabbed at any time.

Khalid took all criticisms and complaints in stride and patiently explained his position, said the source. “The situation could have become tense if not for Anwar who assured that he would advise Khalid and assist  him in managing  the state.

Another criticism leveled at Khalid was that he had not done enough to publicise PKR and boost the image of the party.

“There is little focus on the political aspect, he only (thinks about) the corporate level. But parliamentarians in the state are hardly involved in state activities,”  he said.

Retreat to address internal issues

To address these issues and other matters, PKR is convening a retreat at a hotel in Subang Jaya tomorrow. The session, scheduled from 7am to 10am, is expected to be attended by all Selangor parliamentarians, state executive councillors, state assembly representatives and senators.

The opening speech will be by Yaacob, with the keynote speech by Khalid next, and followed by talks by academics Abu Hassan Hasbullah from University Malaya and Ibrahim Suffian from Merdeka Centre.

Anwar is expected to host a dialogue session with the participants while PKR's strategist Tian Chua will lay out the party's plan to prepare for attempts to topple the state government.

Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San said the retreat was not a last-minute arrangement. “It had been planned for sometime now... after the retreat last March, the idea was to meet annually.”

Khalid: I'm enjoying the job

Speaking to reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting at the state secretariat today, Khalid assured that they are prepared to counter the opposition's attacks.

“Tomorrow, there will be a meeting with all state government officials and elected representatives to formulate strategies,” said Khalid.

He added the state had also engaged experts to help in drafting the plans and analysing the credibility of the threats against the Selangor government.

“Our aim is to win the hearts and minds of the Selangor rakyat through real and credible actions. As Selangor MB, I have been appointed to lead this task. I shall do my best to achieve it. Indeed I find that I'm beginning to enjoy holding this dreaded job,” added Khalid.