Khalid expected to be named MB, with new exco line-up

This is the fourth day after the general election, and there is still no sign of the new Selangor menteri besar to be sworn in.

Unlike the other two Pakatan states that have already sworn in their MBs, the delay has fuelled speculation that Pakatan Rakyat may be mulling replacing the incumbent MB Abdul Khalid Ibrahim

The speculation was sparked by PKR winning only 14 state seats compared to DAP and PAS’ 15 each.

Sources toldMalaysiakini that although some grassroots PAS leaders feel that the MB position should go to their party, the top leadership doesn't share their views.

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have both thrown their support behind Khalid Ibrahim to continue a second term.

With strong support from the two Pakatan partners, it is likely that Khalid will eventually be named for the post, although a PKR faction wants the Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali to be the MB.

And despite some complaints about Khalid's allegedly inflexible style of work, compared to Azmin, sources said Khalid scores points for the Selangor government’s excellent track record in the past five years.

Under his leadership Pakatan Rakyat also won more than a two-thirds majority in the hotly contested election against a BN that was bent on retaking the state at all costs.

Exco shakeup expected

Sources also said Pakatan Rakyat components are currently negotiating the entire exco in a package hence holding up the naming of the MB post alone.

Being discussed are names for the state speaker, senior exco and the exco quotas.

The previous exco quota for PKR-DAP-PAS was 4-3-3 respectively

But with PAS winning more seats than PKR, the latter may need to give up one exco post to PAS, or let the PAS have the senior exco post, whose incumbent is DAP'S Teresa Kok.

While Khalid is expected to remain as the MB, he may face a new line up of exco members, with all three parties likely to replace the old faces.

According to sources, Selangor PAS might drop all the excos who were previously appointed by their former state chief Hasan Ali, including Halimah Ali and Iskandar Abd Samad. Meanwhile Ahmad Yunus who replaced Hassan Ali as exco after the latter was sacked, is expected to retain his post.

For PKR, although it is learnt that Azmin (above) himself is not vying for the MB post, he is expected to want his men to be in the exco.

Xavier, Elizabeth Wong to go?

It is also learnt that Azmin may axe incumbent excos Xavier Jeyakumar and Elizabeth Wong, and replace them with Amirudin Shari and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, with the excuse of enhancing Malay representation.

Besides the duo, another incumbent PKR exco Yaakob Sapari is expected to be dropped due to alleged poor performance, while Rodziah Ismail may be retained.

In the meantime, after the departures of Teresa Kok and Ronnie Liu from the state seats, the DAP exco line-up is also drawing much attention.

While probably keeping party rebel Teng Chang Khim (left) as the state speaker, Selangor DAP may choose first term assemblyperson Ganapathy Rao as the exco to fill the Indian quota.

While another incumbent exco Ean Yong Hian Wah is likely to be retained, and the only remaining seat may go to Lau Weng San or Lee Kee Hiong, or as a peace offering to Teng, Ng Suee Lim from his faction.

Pakatan will still need to submit the candidates list to the Selangor sultan for approval and sources say this will be completed in the next few days.