SHAH ALAM, 14 July: The Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, denied recent allegations that link his meeting with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as a step to strengthen his power and eventually join Umno.
Abdul Khalid also denied that he will be joining PAS after a photo of him meeting with the President of the party, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and his Secretary-General, Datuk Mustafa Ali, was spread on Facebook.
“Prior to that, I posed with Datuk Seri Najib and then I also took pictures with Datuk Seri Anwar. Then I posed with Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi. So, based only on photos alone, I have joined a lot of parties,” he said when met after he presented the SUKMA athletes incentive and Iftar at the Silver Jubilee Hall.
He said that the Iftar with Najib was based only on an invitation and as a good leader of the country, he attended the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque because the mosque is the second largest in Selangor.
“There is no reason. In fact, Datuk Seri Najib wanted to visit Selangor, but because we see him as the leader of the country, we invited him to the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque, which is the second largest in Selangor.
“Because it is a new mosque, we wanted to ask Najib to come visit because the mosque is significant,” he said.
Abdul Khalid explained that the mosque was selected for Najib’s visit because the State Government contributed RM11 million for the construction of the mosque.
“The Sultan of Selangor and his family also contributed RM7 million, and Sime Darby (contributed) RM5 million.
“In addition to that, RM3 million was contributed by the community of Bukiit Jelutong. So, we wanted to show Najib that the construction of the mosque was also supported and funded, not only by the State Government, but by companies and the public.
“Because Najib was present in the state capital of Shah Alam and at the main mosque in the state, it is good for the Chief Minster to accompany him. So, our aim was to respect his presence and I will also be rewarded by Allah for praying with friends there,” he said.
Recently, Abdul Khalid’s presence at the Iftar with the people of Selangor, organised by the Selangor Federal Development Office, triggered surprise, especially when he was facing a motion to remove him from office.
NS