The curious case of Khalid Ibrahim

COMMENT Like many Selangorians, before the 13th general elections last year, I found myself cheerleading a little for Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the incumbent Selangor menteri besar. This was a man who is not a regular politician, he is not a good orator, doesn’t convey his opinions eloquently, but nevertheless is someone who “does work”.

He is someone who is honest, professional, works, and does not find time to speak ill about another politician. He is too busy doing work that he does not have time to retort back at political enemies. Back then, his main political rival was PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. Now, compare Khalid’s conduct in that realm of rivalry with Azmin’s often open and indiscreet criticism of Khalid, then you know Khalid was the better person.

Or so he wants us to believe. I will be the first to admit that my opinion of Khalid had stuttered and stagnated over the past few months, owing in large to his policies and his now famous lack of communication with people who work under him, and people from his own party.

This is by no means an endorsement of PKR’s decision to replace Khalid with Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, or the merit with which PKR felt fit to sack Khalid from the party without ensuring a smooth exit for him before making such a drastic decision. These are political considerations that respective parties involved should make.

But coming to the case of Khalid himself, how did he fall from grace so badly that public opinion, that has often backed him, is now starting to stutter?

Did Khalid Ibrahim change? Did the people change? Is he a victim of circumstance?

Or maybe, Khalid is neither the man we think he is right now, nor the man we thought he was back then. He did not change. Not a bit. The fact is, Khalid Ibrahim is a very good politician despite affirmation from his supporters claiming otherwise.

In politics, perception is reality and truth is negotiable. Khalid knew that. And for six long years, he mastered that. He might have lacked the persona and skills that politicians like Anwar Ibrahim had, but he more than made up for it by picking a strategy and sticking to it. The strategy was simple - selling the image to the public that he was a honest, simple man who does not get his gloves dirty on the boxing ring.

He was a fresh breath of air, he didn’t “play” politics, we perceived, but he was “managing” that perception all along.

People did not find a reason to hate him because he had a track record, albeit it is almost always about the amount of state reserves he amassed. He did not burn bridges with anyone by slandering them and throwing political jibes. He was just an ordinary man, and you would not know what was going on in his mind.

The uncombed hair and the messy outlook was all part of that perception - this man didn’t care for appearances, but more on substance. When the Selangor menteri besar crisis came to a head, suddenly Khalid was able to be tidy, dressed to the hilt, and look genuinely happy.

It is the legacy that he cares for

Khalid Ibrahim has always been the same - stubborn, one-dimensional, and cared a lot about his legacy. His grip on the MB post today is down to that, giving up now would be an admission that he was ousted because he did a bad job. It is the legacy that he cares for, and any threat to diminish that does not sit well with him. His traits and qualities are not something you see often in politics.

Off the top off my head, I can only come up with one other politician who had similar traits - former prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir, too was one-dimensional, stubborn and cared for his legacy. The only barometer to judge politicians like these is with results. Did they produce results? But chances are personalities like these are always going to divide opinions.

Khalid produced results in his first term, and thus people accepted. But something changed circa 2014. He was still the same man but he wasn’t producing results a vast majority of the Pakatan Rakyat machinery in Selangor wanted. He was threatening to break promises they made on behalf of him, to the people. He could not be relied on, for a political perspective, to fulfill a promise that the Pakatan Rakyat makes regarding Selangor administration.

Khalid has his own mind.

Khalid was never going to win this battle with his own party to force his will. He does what he feels is right, and would not be made subservient to the party’s demands. But people like Mahathir were party presidents, they forced their will through and everyone listened. Khalid, on the other hand, did not have that grassroots support. He knew this, and that was why he decided to square up and fight for the deputy presidency in the party.

The party wanted him to listen to them, but he was trying to get into a position where the party would be happy to listen to him and back him up. His only miscalculation was you don’t win loyalty overnight. As important as perception management or branding is for politicians, loyalty is attained by pure number of years on the ground and pure amount of effort you put in a struggle.

Khalid’s biggest strength is also his downfall, he behaved like a chief executive officer all along. He treated the people like shareholders - aiming to double their dividends, but forgetting the political reality. He was dealing with masses, the political parties, and he had political bosses to report to.

And his behaviour did not sit down well with the grassroots of a party that was not formed in glass houses, but instead on the streets, where politicians worked their way up by leading the grassroots. Khalid had an expedited promotion.

Personal victory, but at what cost?

Now, he is punching above his weight. Regardless of whether what Anwar Ibrahim (and PKR) did was right or wrong, Khalid isn’t doing anyone any favours by holding on to the MB post tight. This might be personal victory for him, but at what cost?

Will Khalid’s legacy still prevail with the manner with which he is holding on to his post? Or will it serve to undo all the good work he has already done?

But anyone who has followed Khalid’s entire career would know he is not one to give up easily. He holds on. He fights. And now he has nothing to lose. He will do whatever he can to continue governing.

When you are a man who listens to your own thoughts, you take credit for the good consequences your work brings out. Not taking advice, then, is a good thing.

But when there are negative consequences to your actions, not taking advice can leave you in a very isolated place. At the moment, Khalid is fighting a lonely battle, though he seems to be enjoying every minute of it.

But when the dust settles, how will people remember Khalid? He has ensured a legacy for himself, he has created history, and he will be remembered. But will it be the way he wanted people to remember him?

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RAM ANAND is a member of the Malaysiakini team.