KUALA LUMPUR: Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has thrown his support behind besieged Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, questioning the reasons behind the latter’s possible removal from the post.
The political veteran in a statement today said all Pas members should obey party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is also opposed to Khalid’s impending ouster.
“I have read the president’s statement in full and I support it. Just like many people in this country, I am wondering what mistakes and errors were committed by Khalid for him to dropped from the post of menteri besar,” he said.
The former Kelantan menteri besar said the Pakatan coalition in Selangor was performing well under Khalid’s leadership when he first took over the helm in the 12th General Election in 2008.
“Suddenly, he (Khalid) is to be dropped from the post. The question now is, has he failed to perform his duties well all of a sudden?” Nik Aziz asked.
He added the leaders in Pakatan must first hold discussions to determine whether Khalid had committed grievous administrational errors before looking for a replacement.
“Abdul Hadi is the captain of Pas and I am sure he has gathered enough information before releasing his statement (to defend Khalid).”
Nik Aziz said he, too, had gathered similar information on the matter but refused to reveal anything.
“Suffice to say, all Pas members must show their utmost loyalty to what has been stated by the president. The president may be wrong, but a ship will not sail if its crew want to be captains themselves,” Nik Aziz said.
He said the current leadership crisis in Selangor must be nipped in the bud by the Pakatan leadership before the public becomes disenchanted by their bickering.
“To me, this is only a small problem and it will surely help our relationship mature. Pakatan must continue to be strong in the national political arena,” he said.
The Pas leadership will meet on August 10 to discuss PKR’s proposal for Dr Wan Azizah to replace Khalid. However, Hadi made it clear on Friday that Khalid did nothing wrong to be booted from his position.
“If Khalid is involved in any scandal, breach of trust or misappropriation of government funds, then it is a given that he must be replaced.
“But if he is at fault for other reasons, then there is no need to change the menteri besar,” Hadi said when met at his house in Rusila, Marang on Friday.
Sources in PKR had told the NST recently that the reason for Khalid’s impending removal was his refusal to provide lucrative business projects from those from the opposition coalition through the back door.
However, PKR had made it clear on Sunday that it would not budge from its decision to nominate party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Khalid's replacement.
PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution was quoted as saying that the top opposition leadership had agreed in principle to Khalid's dismissal.