Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said his decision to stand for the post of PKR deputy president at the party elections in May, was made based on pleas by party colleagues.

The Selangor menteri besar said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had also complimented him as a good administrator and party leader.

"Initially, I thought contesting for the PKR deputy president (post) would be a heavy responsibility but many felt a menteri besar should not only administer the state but also serve the party," he told reporters after opening the Selangor Malay Silat, Weapons and Heritage fair in Shah Alam today.

He also refuted claims that his decision (to contest the post) was due to pressure on his administration by incumbent PKR deputy president, Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Abdul Khalid said the decision was made on pleas by members who wanted him to continue serving PKR after being appointed menteri besar.

Last night, he announced his intention to vie for the post and said preparations for the contest would however commence after the Kajang state by-election this month.

In another development, Abdul Khalid said he was confident the people in Selangor would buy shares of the water industry, following a restructuring of the industry in the state which was concluded in a memorandum of understanding signed between the state government and the federal government on Wednesday.

He said the tender for the Langat 2 Distribution System Project had been awarded and that the state government would be involved in the decision-making process of implementing the project.

- Bernama