It's All Khalid's Fault!

Selangor govt at a standstill as construction and development projects are unable to proceed due to freeze
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The failure of the Selangor government to appoint new councillors at all 12 districts in the state is causing hardship to developers and contractors operating in the state, bringing development in the most developed state in the country to a standstill.

The state government has delayed appointing district councillors due to the on-going spat between Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman Azmin Ali and Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

“Both PAS and DAP have given their list of preferred councillors but the problem is PKR. Azmin being the state party chief has a name list while Khalid is not agreeable to the list…so there is a delay. Both these leaders must stop thinking about themselves. Think of the people of Selangor,” said a party source familiar with the issue.

While the two leaders are busy fighting each other, developers and contractors are out of jobs as district councils are unable to tender out work because there are no councillors to approve projects.

Developers and contractors want the Menteri Besar to concentrate on his job at hand rather than spend time politicking.

The source said the term of councillors ended on Dec 31, last year and after nearly a month the state government was still silent on the matter.

“It is Khalid’s responsibility to appoint new councilors for 2014. However, this infighting with Azmin has caused problems in appointing councilors. The lack of councillors is making district councils a lame duck,” he added.

While the delay is affecting developers and contractors, the state is also losing millions of Ringgit in revenue.

A developer from Puchong said the lack of projects in the state has caused him a RM100,000 loss.

“All projects are now pending appointment of councillors. We do not know when this deadlock would end,” he added.

He also reminded political leaders in the state to ensure their spat does not in any way effect the state’s economy.
The discord between Khalid and Azmin dates back to 2009.
Azmin recently criticised Khalid openly over the Menteri Besar’s move to raise pay for the state assemblymen and excos.

Two weeks ago Azmin was sacked as a board member of the Selangor State Development Corporation(PKNS).

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had publicly stated that Azmin’s termination was not valid and instructed Khalid to reinstate Azmin.