The ‘war’ between Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Azmin Ali has taken a
new twist with PartiKeadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim taking the side of his loyalist Azmin.
Anwar, who presided the party political bureau meeting on Tuesday
and supreme council meeting Wednesday had said Azmin’s dismissal did not follow
proper procedure and as such was invalid.
The political meeting heard Azmin’s version because Khalid did
attend and similarly, last night’s PKR supreme council meeting also heard
Azmin’s version as Khalid was again absent.
Khalid, the Selangor MentriBesar and also the State Development
Corporation (PKNS) chairman had dismissed Azmin as a board member, citing it was
decided by PKNS general manager Datuk Othman Omar and the state exco agreed to
it.
However, the general manager said the dismissal was decided by the
state exco.
With Anwar’s backing, the issue seems to be getting worse as
Khalid is now placed in an awkward position given Anwar is still his boss in
the party.
He is actually in a Catch 22 position.
To withdraw the letter and reinstate Azmin will reflect Khalid’s
‘defeat’ in the ‘political war of power’ in the state and not heeding Anwar’s
‘directive’ is tantamount to protesting the party president and obviously can
be termed as insubordination.
How will he withdraw the dismissal letter and reinstate Azmin?
Doing so will put him in an awkward position where he will be seen as a
MentriBesar without ‘guts’ where all decisions need to be referred to Anwar.
As it is, even the salary increase for excos have been held back
pending revision after Azmin and his supporters expressed disapproval despite
the state excos agreed to the decision.
Khalid has tried to make an impact as the administrative chief in
Selangor, minus any interference from his party boss, to show he is capable of
running a state.
However, things are not as easy as he has to please not only the
other partners in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) but also the Palace where his loyalty is
priority.
Azmin’s dismissal is seen as Khalid’s ‘political move’ to clip
Azmin of furthering his influence as well as eroding his influence with the
coming party poll, probably to position himself (Khalid) in a better position
should he decides to contest for the party deputy president.
Azmin is read as Anwar’s proxy in the party and whatever is in
Khalid’s mind may not work out well as the party members interpret it as
‘furthering someone else’ agenda’ not Khalid’s himself.
Politically, Khalid has not been a success as even when he was in
Umno, he failed to even got elected as a division chief, and the same goes in
PKR.
With Anwar’s backing for Azmin now, the stage is set for Khalid to
either ‘tow’ the leadership or face tumultuous journey as Selangor MentriBesar
until the next general election.
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