Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) on Saturday expelled Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim form its ranks for refusing to step down from office to make way for PKR’s endorsed candidate for the job, party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The decision was reached after Khalid refused to appear for a PKR disciplinary hearing, the deadline for which was Saturday noon.
PKR disciplinary committee chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong that PKR’s central leadership had unanimously decided to expel Khalid with immediate effect for what he termed as Khalid’s “open defiance” to party orders.
Yesterday, rumours flared that Khalid might migrate to PAS, the one component party in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition to not fully endorse the candidacy of Wan Azizah for the post of Selangor MB.
Although PAS leaders said they have not considered Khalid’s entry into the Islamist party, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said the party was open to anyone, even former UMNO members.
“We will consider it… Even Umno members can apply,” he said, as reported by The Malay Mail Online.
“PAS has not invited anyone,” clarified PAS Secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali.
Top PAS leaders are scheduled to meet on August 17 to discuss the party’s official stand on who it supports for the post of Selangor Menteri Besar, making it the only holdout among the Pakatan Rakyat partners. After PKR officially endorsed Wan Azizah to replace Khalid, DAP followed suit.
With Khalid’s expulsion, PKR’s share of the 56-seat Selangor state assembly drops from 14 to 13; PAS and DAP control 15 seats each in the state. UMNO holds 12 seats.
Khalid has 14 days to appeal his expulsion, at which time PKR’s top council will decide if there are enough grounds for the appeal and form a special committee.
Today, Khalid attended a meeting at Istana Alam Shah to consult the Council of the Royal Court on the future of his Menteri Besarship.
He is expected to seek an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah after the 8.45am meeting.
See Also:
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Despite Wan Azizah endorsement, Khalid Ibrahim isn’t budging from Selangor MB post
Anwar: If my wife becomes Selangor MB, I’ll quit as state economic adviser
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