Khalid must resign and stop the drama in Selangor – Tan Eng Bee

With the sacking of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim from PKR and the sultan's consent to allow him to continue as menteri besar in the short term, the stage is set for a showdown in the state political arena which will affect directly the state of Selangor and indirectly the nation. 

Though the decision to sack Khalid will pave the way for his eventual resignation, Khalid is adamant in not wanting to resign and leave gracefully.

Selangor is once again a battleground for political greats wanting their respective objectives fulfilled.

Assessing this tense and nerve-racking political situation in Selangor, Khalid believes he still commands the respect and the support of the majority in the state assembly to continue as menteri besar. By all counts, based on his assertion and belief, Khalid believes he has the support of the state assembly but the numbers do not support his claim or add up to his advantage.

In the first place, it is advisable that Khalid tender his resignation in the light of his sacking from PKR, which makes him "partyless" regardless of whether it was fairly decided or not as the welfare of the state and people are paramount compared to his position as menteri besar.

There is no way of trying to manoeuvre through the troubled political waters as the odds are against Khalid, and it will not look good for him since he has lost the support and confidence of his political party which supported him as menteri besar in the aftermath of GE13.

Therefore, it is incomprehensible and indecipherable as to why Khalid is adamant in not wanting to relinquish his position, which would speak well of his stature and strength, instead of trying to hold on to his weakened position.

Bear in mind that one's political appointment is at the sole discretion of one's political party. When it is expedient that one should surrender one’s position for whatever reason, one should not be ungrateful and unmindful by trying to hold on to one's position when it is time to go.

There is no shame doing the right thing but obviously it will look bad for Khalid if he does the wrong things. Greed and power craziness may be the driving force as to why Khalid does not want to vacate and leave the political scene.

Or he may feel he is the best or right man for the job and there is no cogent reason to resign at this juncture.   

A number of scenarios could happen in the light of current political developments. Based on previous case laws involving some misfitted menteris besar, I have no doubt the odds are against Khalid. It is just a matter of time before the "right thing" will happen.

I foresee Pakatan Rakyat will remain intact despite PAS throwing its weight behind Khalid to maintain his position, reason being that the three partners, PKR, DAP and PAS, have invested considerable time and energy in their endeavour to be what they are today. I am sure the three parties do not want Pakatan Rakyat to disintegrate and fade away in the wilderness.

It is unlikely that PAS will walk alongside Umno in support of Khalid to continue as menteri besar as their political ideology is totally alien to one another. Mistrust, apprehension and suspicion are real issues between these two Malay-based political heavyweights. It is nearly impossible for them to cooperate in the political arena at this juncture.

Whatever the outcome, for the next couple of weeks during the sultan's absence from the state, Khalid will continue to sit at the highest office of the state while PR will consider the scenario and will use their majority to unseat Khalid when the time comes to act decisively, paving the way for a new menteri besar to take over.

Selangor is in the limelight this time round, months after the "Kajang move" was mooted, and the stage is set for one of the biggest political showdowns and dramas in the history of the state and the country as well.

The sign is there and clear for Khalid to resign. Only then will the political drama in Selangor stop.

* Dr Tan Eng Bee reads The Malaysian Insider.