Opposition leader Khir : we'll be watching
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 12, 2008
Syed Jaymal Zahiid 

The PKR-DAP-PAS coalition is only expected to form the new state government in Selangor today but it already has a zealous opponent - former mentri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who will lead the new opposition BN coalition. MCPX

khir toyo selangor bn pc 120308 assures“We as the new opposition will do everything to ensure that the opposition-led state government will fulfil all of its pre-election promises,” he told a packed press conference held at Umno Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam late last night.

In a move that can be likened to rattling the war drums, Khir said that he has distributed all of the opposition’s election manifestos to each of BN members and had instructed them to scrutinise the progress of the new state government’s implementation of their promises.

“Don’t worry, we are only helping them in ensuring that the promises they made will be implemented so that the welfare of the Selangor people are safeguarded,” he said caustically.

The first BN offensive, he said, will be to register all 62-year-olds in Selangor in the government hospitals as the opposition had promised that those above the said age in the state will receive free healthcare.

“Secondly, we will register all children to childcare centres in Selangor as the opposition had promised to provide free childcare services,” he said followed by a loud cheer from supporters.

According to the former chief minister, such actions were only meant as measures to guarantee that the PKR-led state government safeguard the interests of the Selangor people.

“So again I say don’t worry. We only want the best for the Selangor people and we will cooperate,” he smilingly said.

Exco lack Malay reps

Khir also questioned the possible line-up of the new Selangor state executive committee (Exco).

“There are only a few Malay exco members (being mentioned). We don’t want to see the new opposition-led state government to practice discrimination and hope that they heed the racial sensitivity of the Selangor people” he said.

When asked what he meant by racial sensitivity, Khir did not exactly answer the question but said that he does not want the new state government to prevent people from executing their religious rights.

khir toyo selangor bn pc 120308 groupThe former chief minister was also asked to clarify on allegations that he had destroyed state government documents that might have implicated him with alleged abuse of power.

“It’s not true. I have everything in details. We have been transparent and we have nothing to hide. If we are corrupt, why were we awarded the Sijil Bersih (Corruption Clean Certificate) for two consecutive years?” replied Khir.

He also denied making any offers to PAS state assembly persons to join BN in an alleged bid to wrest the state back from the opposition.

“There are eight PAS Adun (state representative). It is ridiculous to ask all of them to join BN. These are just rumours,” he told reporters.

Khir then went on to say that BN and Umno will conduct a post-mortem to find reasons behind the party’s worst ever defeat in last Saturday’s polls.

“We will strengthen the party machineries at every level and we want to win Selangor back in four years' time and we are confident of doing do,” he said.

March 8 polls saw BN heavily defeated in Selangor when opposition won 36 out of 56 seats with PKR grabbing 15 seats followed by DAP (13) and PAS (8).

PKR’s Khalid Ibrahim is tipped to be the new Selangor mentri besar with remaining parties’ candidates will fill in the deputy post.

Khir however managed to retain his state seat of Sungai Panjang by defeating PAS’ Mohd Fadzin Taslimin by 5,828 votes. He actually obtained a bigger majority than the 5,460 he gained in 2004.

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