Khalid yet to discuss dissolving state assembly

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has yet to discuss the dissolution of the state assembly with members of the House despite speculation that this will happen next week.

When met by reporters after a gathering with the civil servants, Khalid was evasive, adding that he had not met all the assemblymen yet.

When asked if he had met Pakatan Rakyat leaders to discuss the matter, he merely said: “Election strategy and tactics will be discussed. I will announce after Chap Goh Mei (Feb 24).”

Last month, Khalid had said he might dissolve the state assembly after Chap Goh Mei if there was no indication by the Federal Government on the dissolution of Parliament.

“The rakyat gave us a five-year term and I do not want to exceed that period,” he said.

The Selangor state assembly will automatically dissolve on April 22.

Although the dissolution of the state assembly was within the power of the Mentri Besar and the Sultan of Selangor, Khalid said the timing of the elections was entirely up to the Election Commission.

“Selangor is looking forward to the state elections. If it happens to coincide with Parliamentary elections, it is all well and good,” he said.

Earlier in his speech at the gathering, Khalid said it was important for the state to be financially strong so that it did not have to beg for funds from the Federal Government.

The state’s cash reserve was now about RM2.5bil, compared to some RM500mil in 2007, he said.

When asked about the finances of the Kedah Government, which recently asked the Federal Government to pay RM100mil annually for it to stop logging, Khalid said this would affect confidence in the state administration.

“In my experience as a corporate operator, unless your company has a strong financial foundation, not many people will like to deal with you.

“If I announce that the (construction of the) third Klang bridge will be funded by the Federal Government, there is only a 1% chance the Government will say yes,” he said.

In tabling the state budget last year, the state government had announced that it would pump in RM300mil to build a third bridge across the Klang river.