Hadi hopes 'clean' Khalid will side with PAS

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang hopes that former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will side with PAS in the coming general election.

Describing Khalid as "clean", Hadi said PAS had a good experience with Khalid when he was Selangor menteri besar.

"Even though he is not a PAS member, he was willing to help PAS. That is important to us," Hadi told Malaysiakini in an interview at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Apart from Khalid's experience, Hadi said the Bandar Tun Razak MP and Port Klang assemblyperson was also a respectable figure.

"He was a clean menteri besar, we respect his character and are grateful for when he stood with PAS," he said.

Last week, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali said Khalid had to decide where his allegiances lay, claiming the latter was vacillating between PAS, Umno and being an independent.

Khalid shot back by stressing that it was his right to support whomever he wanted and that Azmin was not one of them.

Asked what he thought of Khalid attending Umno functions, Hadi (photo), who is Marang MP, said he was entitled to mingle with anyone he wished.

"In a democratic country, he can speak to everyone but when it comes to (political) cooperation, it is another matter and it is up to the respective parties," he said.

Hadi was also open to the prospect of Khalid contesting under the PAS banner in the 14th general election, stating that he would leave the matter to the Selangor and central PAS leadership.

"That is up to Selangor and central PAS. We welcome it, but it depends on (Khalid's) acceptance.

"We hope, God willing, he will stand with us, more so when we want to introduce a technocratic government," Hadi added.

Khalid was ousted as Selangor menteri besar in August 2014 following continued acrimony with his then party, PKR.

During the tussle leading to his resignation, Khalid sacked PKR and DAP members who refused to support him from the state executive council.

Khalid continued to lead the Selangor government for two more weeks with the support of the PAS exco members, before resigning.- Mkini