KUALA LUMPUR: It was an uncomfortable moment for new Selangor Menteri Besar (MB) Azmin Ali when he was posed with the question of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's removal as State economic advisor, just a day before his swearing-in ceremony yesterday.
His reply was diplomatic - the matter will be discussed.
“We will look into the reasons given for his (Anwar’s) removal and we will question as to why his removal was carried out on the last day of Khalid's administration,” Azmin said at a thanksgiving reception at his mother's residence in Kampung Klang Gates Bahru.
On Monday evening, the state executive council of the departing former Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, as its last act in office, announced that the State economic advisor post had been abolished.
It effectively sacked Anwar with the excuse given of cost saving measure, putting a sarcastic touch to it.
The post, which was placed under Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) was created for Anwar in 2009.
The PKR de-facto leader was paid a token RM1 per month for the job, a fact that critics had said to be a populist gimmick considering that Selangor is the richest state in the country.
MBI chief executive officer Faekah Husin, who is a staunch Khalid supporter while making the announcement said Anwar’s role in that post could now be handled by the Selangor State Investment Centre (SSIC).
Anwar’s removal from the post was a hot topic of discussion in the social media with many commenters seeing it as a last act of defiance by Khalid supporters, who blamed Anwar for causing the Selangor leadership crisis.
They believe that Anwar had wanted Khalid’s ouster to further his own personal agenda and that by pushing for his wife, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Azizah to be the new MB had lead to a damaging friction between members of the Pakatan coalition.
Many Pakatan supporters had also expressed unhappiness that Anwar’s role in the crisis had cause the lost of support among people who were fed-up with the months of political wrangling in Selangor.
Azmin said he will seek an explaination on why Anwar was no longer needed after six years holding the post and the actual reasons for his sudden removal.
“I will look into the details and the rational given before we can decide on the next course of action,” he added.
Asked on his other priorities, Azmin said tackling security issues and dengue outbreak in the State will be the most urgent.
"I have been instructed to be a responsible MB by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
“His royal highness wants me to sustain peace and harmony among the State’s multiracial people. Tuanku had also instructed me to ensure that the safety of the people in the state,” he added.
Azmin said he would also look into controversial issues such as the water agreement with the Federal government, seizure of Malay-language bibles by religious authorities, and the building of Kinrara Damansara Expressway.
"I will need to be briefed on the various issues first, before deciding on any further action.
"It is important to ensure the people will benefit from the development and we want to ensure that all agreements signed must be transparent and implemented as soon as soon as they are concluded,” he said.