Khalid Ibrahim said making a success of Selangor as the model for the Pakatan Rakyat government’s Putrajaya aspirations was more important than holding a party post.

In a statement today, the Selangor MB explained that his decision to decline candidacy for the hotly contested PKR No 2 post had been made “after extensive discussions with the special committee, political aide Faekah Husin and some Reformasi leaders”.

NONE He said that not contesting would allow him to better realise the coalition’s aspirations, mirroring PKR Sabah’s Jeffrey Kitingan’s reasons yesterday for not contesting in the polls.

“The Selangor government can be considered an example of a potential federal government led by Pakatan Rakyat.

“Seeing that the general election is around the corner, my first task is to help make the Pakatan Rakyat government an example of a dynamic, principled government that cares for the welfare of the rakyat,” said Khalid.

“By building confidence in the minds of the people, we will be able to spread the spirit of the Reformasi all the way to Putrajaya.”

Khalid added that it was also his job to ensure that Selangor remained a Pakatan stronghold.    

He believed that they had a good chance of capturing a two-third majority at the next general election.

Keeping eye on Greater KL

In addition, Khalid said another deciding factor for his decision to pull out of the PKR elections was the announcement of the Greater Kuala Lumpur plan.

economic transformation programme 210910 greater kl model “The project involves billions of ringgit; therefore the Selangor government must play a major role in ensuring that projects are handled in an efficient and transparent manner.”

“In order to protect the interests of the people, the Selangor government will monitor and review all these projects.

“In particular, we will scrutinise the tender processes, particularly in the public transport infrastructure projects, to ensure that contracts are not awarded for the benefit the (ruling party’s) crony companies and not to the detriment of the rakyat.

The Selangor MB announced last Sunday that he would enter the fray for party deputy to stabilise the PKR elections that was becoming a war of personality between heavyweights Azmin Ali and Zaid Ibrahim.

Khalid however decided during nomination day yesterday to pull out of the race.