Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail not only could make history as the first female menteri besar in the country, her appointment will also put PKR ahead of other political parties in giving recognition to women in Malaysian politics, veteran journalist Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said.
"This will have the effect of further endearing the younger female voters to the party and the PR coalition,” Kadir (pic) wrote in his blog today.
However, the former editor-in-chief of English daily New Straits Times said “the downside is Dr Wan Azizah has no administrative experience beyond holding PKR together on behalf of her husband when he was away in prison.
"But Azizah’s lack of administrative and managerial experience could prove to be a handicap compared with Abdul Khalid’s vast experience in both areas," he added.
Kadir also said Dr Wan Azizah’s appointment as the next menteri besar was not a "done deal" yet.
He said it was "not very likely" that state assembly members would take up Khalid's challenge to table a no-confidence vote against him.
"So Dr Wan Azizah’s appointment as the menteri besar of Selangor has to wait a while longer if at all," he said.
Khalid has been facing mounting pressure from the Pakatan Rakyat leadership to resign over his handling of Selangor affairs. This includes the state's management of its water resources, the Kidex highway and the seizure of Malay and Iban-language Bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
Pakatan has agreed with PKR's proposal to endorse Wan Azizah to replace Khalid, completing the "Kajang Move".
Pakatan has targeted Dr Wan Azizah, the Kajang assemblyperson and wife of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to replace Khalid after the Hari Raya celebrations, but Kadir said it may not happen that soon.
Referring to Khalid's intention to stay on until he completes his second term as menteri besar, Kadir said that the former corporate leader may continue fighting within the party or outside.
He also addressed speculation that Khalid might quit PKR to rejoin his former party Umno, saying said the act would be as "good as cutting the nose to spite the face".
Another option for Khalid would be to join PAS, said Kadir.
"He wasn’t particularly successful in Umno. But if he joins PAS, he will make the party stronger in the state assembly and hence strengthen his own position.
"Should he choose that route, he will help PAS to become the largest PR party in the state assembly – raising its numbers from 15 to 16 and reducing PKR’s tally to 13. DAP has 15 seats. Barisan Nasional has 12 seats.
"But the big question mark is, will PAS dare take advantage of the turmoil in PKR?" he asked.
He said Khalid could also opt to remain in PKR and become "the thorn in the rear" for Dr Wan Azizah and her supporters.
He added that Umno is too weak and rudderless to take advantage of the current turmoil in PKR to gain any political mileage.
- TMI
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