MALAYSIA - Anwar plays down talk of Selangor MB change

The Malaysian Insider

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tonight played down talks that Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will be removed as Selangor menteri besar at the end of the month after the Hari Raya festivities.

Asked about the "plot" to remove Khalid and have him replaced by PKR president and Kajang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar said they are "aware of the concerns".

"It is not a matter of a plot but concerns. He is aware. I am aware.

"But whatever decision that will be taken, it will be done amicably," Anwar said after breaking fast in Taman Guar Perahu, Permatang Pauh.

Anwar, who is PKR defacto leader, was coy when answering questions on the Selangor menteri besar's position.

He said the matter of Dr Wan Azizah taking over the state government "has not come out yet".

He said there are many concerns in Selangor over issues like water and the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project, which has been widely protested by the people.

"I am taking all that into consideration. I am mindful and I am listening to all quarters and discussing with our partners in DAP and PAS.

"But it all has to be done amicably with the consensus of all parties," he said, adding that whatever the decision may be, he agreed it will have to be done fast.

However, Anwar did not state a time frame for it.

When asked if the people of Selangor will be consulted, he said that had been suggested by some state leaders.

"How are you going to do it? Conduct a survey?

"It is up to the party leaders and members of the state legislative assembly," he said.

Anwar also denied that he recently met PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who was warded at the National Heart Institute (IJN) to discuss the menteri besar's position.

Hadi is said to be a strong supporter of Khalid.

"I went to see him with my wife and daughter (Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah) as a friend.

"We talked about his health and family. We didn't use the time when he is not well to talk about politics and issues," the Permatang Pauh MP said.

It was reported that Khalid's days as menteri besar may be numbered as there is a plot to have him removed after Hari Raya.

There are also talks that Dr Wan Azizah will be the new menteri besar.

Anwar was also asked to comment on Putrajaya accusing him of tarnishing the image of Malaysia to the New Zealand media, alleging that the country tried to cover up the sexual assault case involving its diplomat in Wellington.

Anwar said he was talking about a letter from Malaysia to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of New Zealand to drop the charges against the diplomat, Warrant Officer 2 Muhammad Rizalman Ismail who allegedly committed the offence in May against a 21-year-old woman.

"I think the government has to answer. Now there is pressure, it can't... the Geneva Convention states that diplomatic immunity is to protect a country's interest, not a person who commits crime," he said.

Putrajaya has announced that Rizalman will be sent back to New Zealand to answer the charges. – July 4, 2014.