Published: Monday February 18, 2013 MYT 1:46:00 PM

Khalid evasive on date of dissolution of state assembly

By TEH ENG HOCK

SHAH ALAM: Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on Monday was evasive on the date of the dissolution of the state assembly speculated to be next week. Asked by reporters at a function here if he had met Pakatan Rakyat leaders to discuss the dissolution, Khalid only said "election strategy and tactics" would be discussed.

"I will announce after Chap Goh Meh (Feb 24)," he said after a meeting with civil servants here. He added that he had yet to meet all assemblymen.

Last month, Khalid said he may dissolve the state assembly after Chap Goh Meh if there was no 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.

Khalid said although the dissolution of the state assembly was within the powers of the mentri besar and Sultan of Selangor, the timing of the polls would be entirely up to the Election Commission.

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

Earlier in his speech, Khalid said it was important for the state to be financially strong so as not to beg for federal funds.

The state's cash reserve now stands at RM2.5bil, compared to some RM500mil in 2007, he said.

Asked about the weak financial state of the Kedah government, Khalid said it would affect confidence in the administration.

Recently, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak had asked the federal government to pay the state RM100mil annually if it wanted the state to stop logging.

"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 federal government will say yes," Khalid said.

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

News

Published: Monday February 18, 2013 MYT 1:46:00 PM

Khalid evasive on date of dissolution of state assembly

By TEH ENG HOCK