SHOULD Khalid keep cash OR invest? Spending wisely not ala BN will help the people to help themselves!

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is not "stingy", rather it is his overtly prudent nature that causes him to appear less than willing when it comes to spending the state’s high reserves on state development, said his political secretary Faekah Husin.

Coming to her boss’ defence, Faekah (left) claimed that Khalid has had to dip into the state reserves numerous times, for example, spending at least RM300 million to “honour the unfulfilled promises made by the federal government” to the people of Selangor.

“It has become Khalid’s nature that he does not talk about plans until they bear fruit. Thus, these were not (publicised)," she said in a statement today.

“As a result, Khalid is labelled as the most stingy menteri besar as it is said that it is difficult (for him) to approve any application for spending using the state’s reserves.”

She was referring to criticism of Khalid by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim for hoarding state funds, amounting to RM3 billion, instead of spending this on development.

Faekah cited three cases in which the Selangor government has been saving up for since 2008, fearing that the federal government would be slack on its promises after failing to win back the state in the past two elections.

These were projects to construct a third bridge to ease the congestion in Klang (mooted since 2008), restructuring of the Selangor water services industry by taking over water concessionaire companies, and a much-needed new hospital in Klang as the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital was short of beds and people were sleeping on the sidewalks.

“It’s much harder to save than to spend,” Faekah said. “The reserves have not been shored up merely for year-end accounting purposes or to look good on paper.”

The Selangor people expect Khalid to spend the state money in a transparent and responsible manner and he will continue to do that, she said.

RM1bil spent on people’s welfare programmes

She added that nearly RM1 billion has been spent on people’s economic welfare programmes since this policy was introduced after the the first 100 days of Pakatan rule in the state.

This was one reason why Selangor was returned to Pakatan rule with over two-thirds majority in the state assembly in the 13th general election.

Meanwhile, DAP’s Gobind Singh Deo has urged Khalid to clarify his statement to Sinar Harian that he listens to criticism from the rakyat more than that from party leaders and politicians.

“No doubt, we in Pakatan hold strong to the belief that it is the people’s interests which must come first, but Khalid must respect the fact that politicians represent the people and they are duty bound to take the problems of the people to the state and the MB in order to have them resolved,” Gobind, the MP for Puchong, said in a statement.

Gobind said that he would however reserve further judgment or comment until Khalid could explain.

Khalid is now serving his second term as Selangor MB. Previously, he has also been criticised for being prudent by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who was believed to be vying for the mentri besar post as well.