Khalid only needs the Sultan

As everyone speculates how the MB crisis in Selangor will pan out, one thing's for certain – Khalid only needs the Sultan on his side to secure his tenure till the end of his term.

COMMENT

By Kenneth Lee

Let’s face reality.

Khalid does NOT need PKR and DAP to remain as the Menteri Besar (MB). He does not even need PAS.

The only one who really matters is the Sultan of Selangor.

Only the Sultan can decide Khalid’s fate and as we already know, the Sultan has decided that Khalid remain as the MB.

Only if Umno decides otherwise, the Sultan’s decision may not be challenged.

Umno can get its minions in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police to work overtime on Khalid’s Bank Islam loan settlement issue or any other case to finish Khalid off.

However we all know that is not going to happen simply because Khalid is Umno’s trump card to break up Pakatan and recapture Selangor.

Muhyiddin has openly endorsed Khalid as the MB. In conclusion, Khalid has the firm support of the two parties who really matter i.e. the Sultan and Umno.

One may ask how Khalid can continue to rule without support from the majority of the ADUNs (state legislative assemblypersons).

He can.

The ADUNs do NOT run the state. It is the MB and his exco that govern the state with the support of civil servants. The ADUNs play only a small role except in official functions.

However it will be a big task for the MB to run the state without an exco. So an exco is needed but the exco does not have to be from PKR, DAP or even PAS.

Even if all exco members, including those from PAS, quit, Khalid can easily appoint a few Umno ADUNs to the exco. He can even rope in unelected Selangorians loyal to him to join the exco – remember the Perak takeover by Umno/BN?

As most civil servants and police are Umno loyalists, there will be no problem in the running of the state in the absence of the others.

What can Anwar, PKR, DAP and PAS do?

Effectively nothing… until the next state elections. In the meantime, they cannot stop the running of the state government because they, with the exception of the exco members, have no role, responsibility or power to do so.

Pakatan Rakyat ADUNs power is in the state assembly. That is where they can argue, debate and vote. That is also where they could try and pass a motion of no confidence on Khalid.

For this to happen, the state assembly has to be convened first. This can happen only if Khalid chooses to do so. More importantly, it will happen only if the Sultan consents.

Unfortunately, according to the state constitution, the Sultan consults the MB on state assembly, election and other state matters.

Even if a state assembly is convened and a motion of no confidence is passed on Khalid, it is up to the Sultan to decide. If the Sultan decides to retain Khalid as the MB, who can challenge His Royal Highness’ decision?

As every day passes, no doubt a lot of wheeling and dealing behind the scenes is already taking place.

Suddenly many PKR and DAP ADUNs will turn into frogs when they get a whiff of the “million-ringgit” magic spells that are bound to be cast.

PAS, or at least a faction within the party, may conclude that the marriage with DAP is unIslamic and decide to part ways.

Soon a majority of ADUNs , consisting of Umno, PKR/DAP frogs and PAS reps, will declare their support for Khalid.

Khalid will convene the state assembly and a majority vote of confidence will be passed and Selangor will be back with Umno.

Pakatan Rakyat can scream as much as they want about morality, decency and democracy. Worse has happened before without dire consequences.

Let us be realistic. Does democracy, morality and decency really matter in Malaysian politics?

Pakatan Rakyat must act fast. Fresh elections is the only viable solution. Let the Rakyat decide.

Kenneth Lee is a FMT reader