Selangor throws down the gauntlet to Najib, BN: Khalid may dissolve state assembly after CNY

In a bold challenge to embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak's federal government, Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim may dissolve the state assembly after the Chinese New Year, PKR leaders said on Wednesday.

"This is a proactive move. I think we are all fed up of the uncertainty. The people and investors are grumbling and we believe this is the best way. If Najib doesn't dare to dissolve the federal Parliament, Selangor may have to lead the way. In fact, we encourage all the Pakatan states to follow suit," PKR Women's chief Zuraida Kamaruddin told Malaysia Chronicle.

"It has reached a stage where it has started to hurt the economy and the stock market. The man in the street too wants to get moving. We cannot put things on hold for so long just because Najib cannot make up his mind or is bacul (afraid) to hold election," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Details being finalized

The Pakatan Rakyat led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim won 5 of Malaysia's 13 states in the 2008 general election. Due to a power grab in Perak in 2009, PR now controls Penang, Kedah, Kelantan in addition to Selangor.

It is not clear yet if Khalid, who is also the PKR MP for Bandar Tun Razak and state assemblyman for Ijok, has finalized the timing for dissolution of the Selangor legislature.

Chinese New Year falls on 10 and 11th of February, and Khalid is expected to discuss the details with the rest of his state executive council.

"MB Selangor said he will consider dissolving Selangor Legislative Assembly after CNY if PM fails to dissolve Parliament by then. What do you think?" Selangor Speaker Teng Chang Khim said on his Twitter.

Excitement

The news is bound to send a shiver of excitement across the nation, which is bracing for Malaysia's first-ever regime change at the 13th general election. According to political sources, a high-level government intelligence survey found that PR could win 124 seats to BN's 98 seats.

According to the survey, PR will win 10 seats in the Federal Territories, 10 in Johor, 11 in Kedah, 12 in Kelantan, 18 in Perak, 17 in Selangor, 1 in Terengganu, 1 in Malacca, 3 in Negeri Sembilan, 5 in Pahang, 0 in Perlis and a total of 25 in Sabah and Sarawak.

"You could say we are taking the offensive. But even if the survey results were not in our favour, we would do something to get things moving. At the very least, fix an election date. Why harm ourselves and our country by vacillating on something so simple and natural as a GE date," said Zuraida, who is also the Ampang MP.

Scandal-scarred Najib afraid to go to the polls?

Indeed, the scandal-tainted Najib has shown signs he might again delay holding nationwide polls after a botched overseas trip to the Gaza strip where he was publicly scolded by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Najib was accused of attempting to interfere in Palestinan politics after making comments that were perceived as favoring Hamas, the political rival of Mahmoud's Fatah party.

The corruption-riddled Umno-BN coalition, which has ruled Malaysia since 1957, is also neck deep in negative publicity due to recent revelations from the Sabah RCI that former premier Mahathir Mohamad had given out citizenship to hundreds of thousands of illegal workers in East Malaysia on condition they voted for BN.

Najib himself and his wife Rosmah Mansor have also come under fire over a slew of allegations they were involved in high-level graft including accepting an illegal kickback amounting to R570mil in the Scorpene submarines acquisition and the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder.

As prime minister, Najib has the prerogative of deciding when he wishes to dissolve Parliament. He may even allow Parliament to automatically terminate on April 28, after which the Election Commission has 2 months to hold the 13th national ballot.

"The possibility of a long wait cannot be underestimated. Even if Selangor dissolved today, the EC can set the balloting date on May 1. They can give all sorts of explanations. So Pakatan has to take the lead and stop this sort directionless situation from demoralizing the entire nation. Even if Najib and BN are not ready, set a date. Let the people and investors know," said Tian.

Malaysia Chronicle