As the nation prepares to face another by-election, this time triggered by a tactical manouevre by PKR rather than an act of fate, speculation as to whether Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will remain the Selangor menteri besar is intensifying.

If PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim wins the Kajang by-election and succeeds Abdul Khalid as the MB, Abdul Khalid would not be the first Selangor MB to be asked to pave way for political reasons.

There are at least four previous menteri besars who had to vacate their posts in the wake of controversies and pressure from their own political parties.

Harun Idris (1964-1976)

Having served as the MB for 12 years, Umno rising star Harun Idris was forced to quit when he was charged for corruption by the government.

Harun's role in the May 13, 1969 racial riots was called into question several times, but he survived the wave of pressure from his rivals to stay on for a second term as menteri besar.

But in 1976, he was sacked by Umno and subsequently charged with corruption for allegedly abusing state funds. This landed him a six-year jail term, although he was pardoned by the Agong soon after.

He is still Selangor's longest-serving MB.

Ahmad Razali Mohd Ali (1982-1986)

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's brother-in-law, Ahmad Razali, was an unpopular figure in Selangor Umno and only lasted one term after being appointed the top state post by Mahathir himself.

His term was marred by a reported incident during an Umno meet in Kg Pandan where a chair was allegedly thrown at him by a delegate. In 1983, one year after taking over as MB, Ahmad Razali saw the stage where he was launching the Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves collapsed, injuring 34 people.

He resigned in 1986 after four years as MB to make way to Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

Muhammad Muhammad Taib (1986-1997)

A hugely popular figure in Selangor Umno, albeit dogged by his own set of controversies, Muhammad Taib lasted 11 years as MB and was secured in his position until he was charged in Australia for currency irregularities amounting to RM3.8 million.

He step down from his post after he was charged, although the court later found him not guilty, based on his argument that he "did not understand English" and thus could not have known about the law restricting the bringing in of cash into Australia.

Muhammad Taib also reportedly eloped with the Selangor sultan’s daughter while he was MB and they allegedly got married in Thailand, though the couple have since divorced.

In the run-up to the 13th general election, he joined PAS and campaigned for the opposition party.

Abu Hasan Omar (1997-2000)

Abu Hasan Omar probably has the story that rings most familiarity with the current situation in Selangor.

A federal minister then, Abu Hasan swapped seats with Jamaludin Adnan in order to contest the Permatang state seat, and thus forcing two by-elections - Permatang and the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat.

Strangely, he had also then called on the opposition "not to contest" the Permatang seat as to not to waste time and money.

However, a sex scandal, where he allegedly fathered a child with his sister-in-law ended his short-lived tenure, leading to his resignation in 2000. Mahathir admitted back then that Abu Hasan had to quit to stop the "slanders and lies" against the embattled MB.

Abu Hasan was replaced by Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who led Selangor until he lost the state to Pakatan in the 2008 general election.

However, Khir faced a corruption allegation regarding a lavish mansion he had built in Shah Alam while being MB, though it was not until he lost his MB position that he was convicted .

He continued serving in the state opposition later until 2010 when he was found guilty and sentenced to a jail term.

Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (2008-?)

Abdul Khalid, who is eight months into his second term as MB, has faced stiff competition and challenges to his tenure mainly from rivals within his own party ever since he took the post five years ago. However, the attacks have increased in frequency following last year’s general elections.

After intense speculation, Kajang assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh resigned abruptly earlier this week, paving the way for opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to contest the seat in a by-election - believed to be with the intention of replacing Abdul Khalid as MB.

Ironically, Anwar had told BN not to contest the by-election.