They feel that Khalid should abide by the decisions and instructions of his party to shed his duty as the MB.
Political analysts believe it is a matter of time Khalid will have to step down, and that PKR should find him some good reasons for him to bow out in grace.
A constitutional expert says the Sultan can exercise his power to appoint a new MB but under the current situation, the most effective way to resolve the issue is to dissolve the state legislative assembly can call for renewed state election.
During a briefing on the change of MB yesterday, PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah explained to party members and leaders of Chinese associations in Klang why the MB should be replaced.
Unpopular
When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, local Chinese association leaders said although Khalid had not committed any serious mistake, he had become unpopular because he failed to listen to the voice of the public and had been too obstinate, doing things his own way. They said he had introduced some really inappropriate policies such as the land and housing sale policy that has since seen property prices in the state fast climbing.
Klang Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCCI) honorary advisor Tan Sri Datuk Dr Lau Ban Tin told Sin Chew Daily Khalid indeed won the favor of the people during the first few years of his tenure as MB, but he has not performed up to expectation of late, adding that land officers might support him because of the five-fold increase in land conversion fees, but developers suffer because of his policy.
He said Khalid failed to consult the industry before introducing any new policy or making any new decision, for example the excessive housing development fees have forced the developers to transfer the cost to the buyers and hence the rapid rise in property prices.
He said Khalid seldom listens to the voice of people, and even if he listens and promises to consider their views, he never adopts them in the end.
"We respect the decision of PKR, and hope the new MB will bring more FDIs to the state. Selangor boasts a large international airport, deepwater port and other state-of-the-art facilities, and if foreign investments pour into the state in a big way, local SMEs will stand to benefit from the influx of investments.
Meanwhile, Klang Kin Cho Hong & Association also agrees that Khalid has put in place many unfavorable policies that have hampered the development of the manufacturing industry.
"Houses are getting very expensive now. Many people cannot afford to buy houses while developers have problem selling them."
The association's chairman said Selangor people voted for Pakatan Rakyat because it offered very attractive and people-friendly manifesto but the fact is, they just keep getting money from the people.
"It is entirely up to PKR to change the MB, but Khalid has indeed introduced too many unfriendly polices for people like us in the construction industry. We don't mean to meddle into the internal affairs of PKR. They will make their own decision, but we won't object any decision to change the MB."
Settlement through a caucus
In the meantime, Penang Institute Fellow Dr. Wong Chin Huat has proposed that the 44 Pakatan state assemblymen in Selangor to first hold a party caucus to decide whether Khalid should stay or leave.
He said this should be a better way for Khalid to step down in grace. However, if Khalid insists not to step down, Pakatan can consider table a motion of no-confidence against him in the state assembly.
"But Pakatan should not table a no-confidence motion before holding a caucus to elect a new leader for Selangor Pakatan. This is unprecedented in this country but is absolutely necessary to evade accusations that party views prevail over public views."
What PKR is doing now has further complicated this issue. As a matter of fact, Khalid still holds a trump card in his hand, as the MB has the power to declare a dissolution of the state legislative assembly.
There are currently 12 Umno reps in the state assembly, along with 14 PKR reps, 15 DAP and 15 PAS reps.
"If PKR only manages to get eight seats this time, even if Pakatan can still form the state administration, the MB may not even come from that party."
'No choice'
Political analyst James Chin told Sin Chew Daily it is a mater of time Khalid will have to step down as Selangor MB, and he personally expects Khalid to leave office latest by end of this year, adding that Khalid will only leave after negotiating with Anwar Ibrahim although it remains unknown what exactly is being negotiated.
PKR has raised the issue of integrity out of no choice, as the party has hoped Khalid would bow out "quietly" and in dignity. The problem is, Khalid has remained recalcitrant.
Chin said Khalid has insisted to stay until the end of his term probably because he still has things he has yet to accomplish. Nevertheless, the choice of MB comes from the party, and now that the party does not want him, he will have no choice but to accept the decision.
"If Khalid chooses to go on fighting to stay in office, without a question this will deal a severe blow on the image of Pakatan Rakyat, in particular PKR."
He said no parties should stand to gain from the MB crisis because if fresh state elections is called, voters who get fed up with Pakatan might not cast their votes in favor of BN or Umno either.
"If fresh state election is held, it is predictable that PKR and DAP will be punished by the voters. However, it is yet to be clear whether PAS would be affected in view of the fact that Khalid has not meddled with PAS' agenda to implement hudud law."
Translated by DOMINIC LOH
Sin Chew Daily
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