Allow me to begin this article by sharing my opinion over a comment from my last post by a friend Andrew Ho who said politics suck!. I beg to differ with him.
Politics won't suck if politician observe the do's and don'ts while politicking.
"The word 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly' meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood-sucking parasites' - Larry Hardiman.
"In politics, an absurdity is not a handicap." - Napoleon Bonaparte.
If we look at the above two quotes, we would possibly 'agree' with popular saying that politics are dirty. Politics are made dirtier with the presence of politicians clouded with greed, power crazy and bla bla bla.
Still with (state) Selangor MB crisis.
I forgot to incorporate in my earlier article PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution's statement about TS Khalid's move to submit the PKR report to the MACC.
He said,"For sure SPRM will clear him. You know the words 'selective investigation'? They will apply to Khalid," Saifuddin told Malay Mail Online. Probe on Khalid will be impartial, MACC insist
What do Saifuddin, Rafizi and others want precisely? For Khalid to hand over details to them? They prosecute and deliver judgement on Khalid? They seem to negate anything that comes in between Khalid just to convince public that they are absolutely right.
And since Opposition MPs especially from PKR and DAP are convinced after reading the 40-page dossier that Khalid has committed wrongdoings, aren't they feel compelled to lodge reports with relevant authorities - the MACC and the police?
Why PKR is so reluctant to lodge the report or reveal the evidences?
Isn't it bizarre for Tan Keng Liang of Gerakan Youth (BN) to lodge a police report citing the issue was of public concern?
I do agree with Dr Wan Azizah PKR president and wife to Anwar Ibrahim in her statement on Thursday that the current crisis was not being discussed positively and "appeared rather emotional".
But knowing PKR leaders, are we surprised with their "style?" Perhaps, that answers their "dramatic" recent party election where not only there was wars of words, throwing of chairs, but bloody physical fights reported.
However, to her statement that Pakatan Rakyat's existence since 2008 was a manifestation of the people's wishes and that if such isn't true, how could we win 52% of the popular vote in the 13th general election (GE13), I am skeptical if the same scenario would be sustained following issues post GE13.
Her call for everyone in People's Pact to unite, close ranks and together find the best solution not only to govern, but for a better future though a decent call, sound quite peculiar when she cannot unite the bickering leaders in her own party which rooted the apparent inter-party differences.
The chaotic press release of Ampang division made by PKR's women chief who is also an MP Zuraida cannot be overlooked.
Azizah could have shrugged off suggestions that some from within her party feel that Azmin Ali should be considered for MB I am PKR's only choice for Selangor MB, declares Azizah , there is no assurance current episode (Khalid's controversy) would not recur.
If second press release (distributed and withdrawn) is to be observed, the growing calls for deputy president Azmin to also be considered as Selangor MB samples desire to elevate Azmin to the post rather than Azizah.
It could also be read as the lack in confidence for Azizah for the job thus, what is the guarantee that Azizah would not face pressure to step-down for Azmin in future.
Would people be dragged again to hurl derogatory remarks against Azizah's administration or would Saifuddin and Rafizi ("the rat-catcher") resort to dirt-digging against Azizah?
Obviously, Pas has been at odd with PKR as the former maintained their stance with a status quo in Selangor (to retain Khalid as MB).
The Selangor MB crisis has it's impact on Selangor voters, the growing differences in inter-party relations could have an adverse effect on the pact which could change voters' mindset.
Rafizi's revelations that there was an issue of choosing candidate for prime minister in the event PR (People's Pact) win the general election is a confession that Anwar don't get blessing from all party in the alliance pact to be nominated as prime minister.
It is indeed disappointing that the Selangor MB crisis has lead to revelations after revelations that could be detrimental to PR's political image as a whole. All in the name of fulfilling objectives of the few.
With more dirt trading tactics to come by PKR leaders in their quest to oust Khalid in this MB crisis, would there be any difficulty for Umno/BN to convince the people of what they had been saying all these while,"It's better the devil you know, than the angel you don't know"?
The whole political scenario in Selangor would change, should PAS eventually leave PR out of differences or disagreement with it's allies PKR and DAP.
Already having the least number of seats (14) - should Khalid is sacked or resign from PKR, this would make PKR's number of seats even smaller and situation would be worsened should there be any assemblyman from PKR joining Khalid.
Perhaps for that reason, PKR tells it's Selangor assemblymen to swear support for Azizah. PKR tells its Selangor reps to swear support for Wan Azizah
The irony is, the party known to promote establishment of "a society that is just and a nation that is democratic, progressive and united" has to resort to swearing approach which to some could be construed as being undemocratic.
Khalid was reported as being angry at the way he is treated and refuses to attend PKR's disciplinary meeting today Selangor MB refuses to attend PKR's disciplinary hearing
In the event Khalid is sacked from PKR, rise the question, is he still the MB for Selangor?
A question beseeching an answer, but even the experts had differing views.
International Islamic University law lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Shamrahayu A.Aziz believes Khalid's position will not be affected while University Malaya's Prof Gurdial Singh Nijar and Dr Abdul Aziz Bhari think Khalid must resign.
Dr Shamrahayu said Khalid's sacking from PKR doesn't directly affect his position as a member of the state assembly thus he would still be MB.
"In order to become an MB, a person only needs to be a member of the state assembly and must command the assembly's confidence.
"If PKR sacks Khalid, he will not automatically be disqualified from the MB post as long as he still commands majority support of the assembly," she said.
She also noted that Khalid had the option to request for a dissolution of the state assembly from the Sultan of Selangor if he is faced with expulsion from the party, report The Star.
Meanwhile, Gurdial and Dr Abdul Aziz think otherwise, stressing that Khalid cannot remain as the Selangor MB if he is booted out from PKR.
Gurdial said if that happens, Khalid must resign as the post of MB can only be filled by a person from the party that commands majority support of the state legislative assembly.
"If he no longer has the confidence of the majority, he must resign. He can ask for a dissolution of the state legislative assembly, but according to convention, this is not an option if the coalition in control still has the majority and can continue to rule," he said.
Gurdial said the loss of confidence against the MB can either be expressed through a vote of no confidence in the state assembly or by other means including a letter signed by all assemblymen, orally or via any other communication.
"The most important thing is that the Sultan must be satisfied that the majority no longer support the incumbent MB," he said.
Dr Abdul Aziz said that if PKR sacked Khalid, it was a sign that it had withdrawn support for him.
"If PKR decides to disown him, he has no other choice but to resign. That indicates he has lost part of his support from the state assembly," he said.
On Sunday, Khalid insisted that the majority of the state assembly still had confidence in him so he will not resign, wrote The Star.
Now, even the experts interpreted differently, how would you expect the people at large to interpret?
Personally, I found International Islamic University law lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Shamrahayu A.Aziz's version more convincing.
I quite disagree with Dr Abdul Aziz when he said,"If PKR decides to disown him, he has no other choice but to resign. That indicates he has lost part of his support from the state assembly,"
PKR is not the majority in the state assembly and that Khalid could still join PAS as he gets full support of PAS and not forgetting if Umno/BN's reps throw support on Khalid, he could still command confidence in the state assembly.
Another factor to bear in mind is, how would the Sultan of Selangor evaluates the situation, but it looks like there is no Win-Win situation for PKR in this whole episode and Umno/BN would certainly grab the golden opportunity out of all uncertainties and confusions to wrest Selangor from PR.
What we would not want to hear or read in the reports is a situation Khalid's 'dirty deeds dossier' end up like the case between PKR's youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin for allegedly implying minister in the prime minister's department DS Jamil Khir Baharom interfered in opposition leader DS Anwar Ibrahim's qazaf (making false allegation) matter.
After Shamsul's apology, he said the two parties had agreed to come to an amicable settlement,"While in the Syawal mood, we have agreed on the terms of the settlement and decided not to drag this matter out further," he said.
And PKR's "reluctance" to immediately lodge necessary report on it's 40-page dossier against Khalid invite 1001 questions.
Anyway, being a Selangorian myself, surely I look forward for the crisis in Selangor be resolved quickly and effectively for the sake of it's people and the state - Not the leader(s) that put(s) personal interest above all.
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