Selangor PKR: The rift continues

Party deputy president Azmin Ali has been asked to quit the state liaison chief post

PETALING JAYA:  Nearly a month after sweeping to victory in Selangor, Pakatan Rakyat, especially, PKR, has still not settled its internal bickering in the state.

The latest controversy involves the appointment of party secretary general Saifuddin Nasution as the Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s political liaison officer.

Party insiders claim that the Saifuddin’s appointment has not gone down well with PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who seems “uneasy” with the appointment.

“Azmin also feels that the appointment is causing friction among grassroot leaders in the state. He also feels that the job should have been given to someone from Selangor instead. Saifuddin is a Kedahan,” said the source.

However, Kapar PKR division member Dr V Neduchellian said Azmin should step down and let Khalid lead the state PKR liaison committee.

It is an open secret that Azmin and Khalid had been on a head on collision since the conclusion of the general election. The naming of the Selangor Menteri Besar was delayed because Azmin wanted the state’s  top post.

He however relented after talking to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. Khalid has since been sworn in as Menteri Besar for a second consecutive term.

“Looking at the current political situation, it is time for Azmin to give way to Khalid since Khalid is the MB. Saying that a Kedahan cannot hold a post in Selangor is laughable.

“Azmin himself is born in Singapore but is serving as Gombak member of parliament and state assemblyman in Bukit Antarabangsa. Why can’t we have Kedah born Saifudin in Selangor.

“Why doesn’t he question Zuraida Kamaruddin (the PKR MP for Ampang)? She was born in Indonesia,” Dr Neduchellian said.

He said Khalid has proved that he had support of the people of Selangor by winning two-thirds of state assembly seats in the last election.

“He also has managed a surplus of RM2.6 billion. Those criticizing him are only a few comprising of unpopular and controversial characters,” he added.