Barisan Nasional will not cease in its effort to destabilise the Selangor government in its effort to “take back” the premier state, according Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

"I do not think that they are reducing their effort in a bid for Selangor," he said during an interview session with media editors.

NONE The first-time menteri besar said this was proven by the numerous visits by the prime minister and his deputy to various festive events in Selangor in an attempt to win over the people.

Khalid revealed that he faced BN’s most vicious attacks in the first year of his Pakatan Rakyat administration.

"My most painful experience was when NST ( New Straits Times ) published a front page report alleging me of corruption for donating cows during Raya Haji," he said.

He was subsequently investigated and cleared by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Pakatan will be celebrating the second anniversary of its takeover of Selangor on Monday.

When asked about the Selangor opposition, Khalid said that the former MB, Mohd Khir Toyo, ( below ) had not done a good job in evaluating projects to be implemented by the state.

NONE "If I were him, I would take up administration lessons. This is because of the experience I had in solving the decisions he (Dr Khir) made - it shows that he is not competent enough."

He claimed that the failure rate was high in the projects approved by the previous MB.

"For instance in the case of Bukit Botak, he had asked the PKNS to take over the building of some houses which were abandoned by contractors. If PKNS was to do that, it would have incurred huge losses," he said.

When asked how he handled pressure within the party when it came to awarding contracts, Khalid smiled and said that he listened to suggestions but did not necessarily implement them.

"Everyone still needs to go through procedures as the party is consistent in its stand on transparency and openess."

Nevertheless he said that the state is setting up a foundation to develop skills training programmes.

"I understand that there are party members who have been supporting our movement for the past 10 years. During the struggle, many have lost opportunities and assets because they were discriminated against by BN," he added.

But, he stressed even for them, everything would be done in an above board fashion.

Bureaucracy and MACC

Overall, Khalid said that there is support from the civil servants in his administration although there are some at senior management level who are not supportive of the state agenda.

"Fortunately, this has not reached a worrying level yet but we have appointed an international consultant to look into transforming the culture of the adminstration."

He said that was a daunting task to change the culture of any organisation but he had got things moving.

"That is why in our new Selangor guidebook, we have credited the civil servants for the success of the administration as it would not have happened if it not for their co-operation," he said.

NONE On the issue of corruption, he said that it was beginning to wane due to the implementation of a more transparent policy.

"Hopefully this practice will lessen as part of the change of the organisational culture," he said.

Meanwhile, he revealed that the numbers of MACC officials in Selangor are the most, compared to other states.

Therefore, he said that the likelihood of catching wrongdoers is higher.

"If (you) MACC are so interested in our affairs,why don't you set up an office nearby, then you would not have to travel to our office so much," Khalid said with a laugh.