Khalid: This round is for better finances, rural growth

INTERVIEW Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim will work to improve the state's cash reserves during his second term as MB, as well as spend more on the development of the rural areas and the outskirts of urban zones.

Dubbing this as his greatest "challenge" as the head of the Selangor government, Khalid said his administration would need to focus more on the heartlands of the bumiputera community, on which he admitted his administration did not focus enough during its first term.

"Among the areas we didn't really focus on was rural development. It's not about just building roads or setting up stalls. It's about assimilative development. We need to enhance the income of this community," Khalid said in an interview with Malaysiakini on Monday.

He said the state has started planning a few programmes, which will be discussed with the other state government leaders once the team is complete.

He also appeared very intent to improving the state's financial performance that was achieved during his first term as MB.

Khalid and his team completed the Pakatan Rakyat rule of Selangor with a RM2.6 billion cash reserve. The state, he added, now needs to improve on that benchmark.

"We have set a benchmark for the state revenues. We should go higher. We are already completing our process in analysing what we did right and what we did wrong," he added.

Khalid is also focusing on weeding out the culture of cronyism, which he said was still prevalent in the state.

"What Umno and BN have done is that they have a pool of talent in the rentier class. These people take a cut in all proceedings in the state. Not only is this ineffective, it also doesn't help in achieving the right targets we set out for," he said.

"If we cannot eliminate them, we will try to reduce this situation. If we can do that, there will be less corrupt practices and cronyism," he added.

Optimistic about ending water industry woes

Khalid seemed more optimistic about completing the process to take over the water concessionaires in the state, unlike during his first term when he found approval from the federal government, which is required for the takeover, near impossible.

"We still have to deal with the federal government on this matter. But its mood is more conciliatory now, especially now that we have been chosen by the people for a second term. We should take advantage of this matter and sort it out," he added.

He also criticised Umno and BN for being the root of grassroots problems plaguing the state - especially in terms of garbage collection and water distribution.

"Who caused these problems? The answer is BN. They go and sign an agreement with a water operator with no experience and no financial capacity. Now we have to solve the problem. It is the same with the privatisation (of garbage collection) to Alam Flora.

"Why we have to take over is because it costs more and we have no control over the quality of the job. There is no takeover without problems. But we managed to correct it continuously. We have excess funding for that," he said.

The exco line-up delay

Khalid also went on to argue that the current delay in appointing state executive councillors would be good for the state, as the final line-up could be a better one that could get to work immediately and efficiently.

"It is worthwhile to spend a few weeks extra (in finalising), because after that go straight and start your work. You can afford to lose two weeks, just to make sure you have a good team for decision-making," he said.

"When you rush too much, then you end up squabbling again. I've seen cases of a few state governments... squabbling continues after the selection. Rushing with decision-making is not a good thing," he added. - Mkini