Azmin Ali justifies criticism of PR Selangor State Administration

The Malaysian Insider

July 10, 2009

Azmin Ali justifies his criticism of Tan Sri Khalid’s Selangor State Government

By Neville Spykerman

Selangor backbenchers chief Azmin Ali, who broke party ranks by hitting out at his own Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government, today justified his action by saying it was his responsibility.

“It’s nothing personal.” said the Bukit Antarabangsa state lawmaker, who also called for the reshuffle of the state executive council (Exco) and hinted for new faces to be appointed. Azmin, who raised a litany of complaints at the state legislative assembly yesterday, said he was only voicing the frustrations of the business community and people on the ground.

Among his criticisms are red tape at the state Economic Planning Unit (MTES) which he claims is stifling businesses, the haphazard appointments of local councillors and the state’s policy on sand mining, which he says only generated RM4 million in profits.

The outburst by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party whip was not a surprise to party insiders who have indicated that Azmin has been unhappy with Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his administration for some time now.

Azmin is seen as a challenger to the mentri besar and his calls to reshuffle are believed to be in line with his political ambitions.

He piled on the pressure today when he told the reporters he had the support of his fellow backbenchers and even senior government servants but repeated he was leaving it to Khalid to decide how best to reshuffle his Exco team. PR insiders are bracing themselves for Azmin’s next move and are adopting a wait and see attitude.

“There is little that can be done because of his popularity among backbenchers and PKR grassroots,” said a party insider who indicated the PKR vice-president also has the ear of party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is distracted by his upcoming sodomy trial.

Khalid has so far played down Azmin’s criticism saying it was well within his rights to express his views.

To date only Exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah has expressed unhappiness with Azmin’s conduct in the House. “I am shocked and regret Azmin’s suggestion for the Exco to be reshuffled and his criticisms of red tape at MTES which he called a ‘High Court,’” said the Seri Kembangan state lawmaker.

Ean Yong said since PR took over Selangor, the state government had been reviewing all privatisation projects which have not brought any benefit to the people. He said many such contracts had been signed without in depth studies by the previous administration and MTES is the right forum to resolve these issues.

“I want to stress that if Azmin is given an opportunity to become mentri besar he would take the same steps to ensure the rights and benefits of the people are protected.” He added that as an experienced politician and as PR backbencher chief, Azmin should have expressed his dissatisfaction using the proper channels.

Ean Yong, who is also DAP’s state chairman, said the party wanted a closer relationship with its partners from PKR and PAS.