Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid may stay on for a while

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim may be hanging on by a thread to the Selangor Mentri Besar's post, but he is not about to step down any time soon. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim may be hanging on by a thread to the Selangor Mentri Besar's post, but he is not about to step down any time soon. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR\ASIA NEWS NETWORK): Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim may be hanging on by a thread to the Selangor Mentri Besar's post, but he is not about to step down any time soon.

The scenario ahead suggests that he could stay on at the helm of the state until the end of the month.

This is because of the due process of transition and Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah leaving for an overseas trip on Wednesday.

The Sultan will only return on Aug 23.

The logical step following Khalid's sacking from PKR is to seek an audience with the Sultan, which from most accounts, is what he is trying to do.

When that happens, he will formally inform Tuanku he has been sacked by PKR and is now technically an independent assemblyman.

He may also advise the Sultan to call for a special sitting of the State Legislative Assembly.

If he is reluctant to do that, the Sultan has the Constitutional power to do just that.

Khalid may also inform the Sultan that he is going to resign as Mentri Besar or that he will remain in his post until further notice.

The assembly sitting is to enable the 56 assemblymen to vote on whether Khalid still enjoys their confidence as Mentri Besar.

A motion of no-confidence only needs a simple majority - 29 in the case of Selangor.

After that, the Pakatan Rakyat parties will need to propose names who will become the new Mentri Besar for the Palace's consideration.

Precedence has shown that Tuanku will request more than one name.

Yesterday, Khalid indicated that he would be meeting the Sultan today when the latter presides over a meeting of the Selangor Council of the Royal Court.

He said he would discuss and seek the Sultan's views on the latest development in Selangor.

The Mentri Besar is a member of the board and may use the occasion to brief the council on what has happened and his immediate plans.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.