DAP yesterday expressed its full support to replace Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim with Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The resolution was passed unanimously by the party’s highest leadership council, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) at a special meeting held in the party headquarters in Jalan Yew.

All 15 Selangor DAP State Assemblypersons also expressed full support for this position. The party said that as Khalid should resign gracefully, having lost the democratic mandate and legitimate authority to remain as the MB of Selangor following his expulsion from the PKR.

Meanwhile, DAP said its three Selangor state Executive Councillors (EXCO), Ean Yong Hian Wah, V. Ganabatirau and Teng Chang Khim would remain in their positions pending the appointment of the new MB. Although DAP no longer recognized Khalid at the MB of Selangor, DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng said that they would continue with their respective positions as they were appointed by Pakatan Rakyat.

“Such a transition arrangement is necessary so as to ensure the continued administration of Selangor until the appointment of the new Menteri Besar,” he said, stressing that in the wake of Khalid’s sacking by PKR , Pakatan Rakyat Government is still the legitimate government since it holds 43 seats in the 56 person State Assembly.

After a prolonged crisis over the MB position, PKR expelled Khalid from the party on 9 August. Although the state under Khalid had experienced a significant increase in state reserves, his tenure as MB was marked by his refusal to consult party leaders when running the state, his adamant push for the Kinrara Damansara Expressway (Kidex) despite objections from the people of Selangor and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, and his lack of political will when solving the Bible seizure issue by JAIS (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor).

There have also surfaced allegations by Parti Keadilan Rakyat leaders claiming that Khalid had his debt of over RM 70 million with Bank Islam mysteriously cleared, which led some to believe that it was an out-of-court settlement. Khalid’s refusal to be transparent with his party and about the details of the deal and his unilateral style of state management had prompted his sacking from PKR. –The Rocket