Khalid Remembered For Lessons Taught As Selangor Mb

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Family, friends and former colleagues of former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim paid their final respects at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah mosque in Shah Alam today, remembering a man known more for his business acumen while running the state.
Khalid was honoured with a final resting place at the Shah Alam Royal Cemetery. He was laid to rest at around 2pm today.
Earlier, a wake was held after his body arrived from the Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara, at 10am, where the funeral rites were conducted.
Among the first to arrive was International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali.
International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin AliAzmin had, in 2014, succeeded Khalid as Selangor menteri besar, after PKR sacked the former Ijok assemblyperson during the Kajang Move.
Also seen were former and current Selangor assemblypersons who served during Khalid's tenure as menteri besar from 2008 to 2014, including former Selat Kelang assemblyperson Dr Halimah Ali and Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail.
Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail"He was not only an admirable person, but he was a teacher who taught us how to make good policies, specifically in ensuring that the trust given to us was carried out well," said Rodziah, the former Selangor PKR Women's wing chief.
Rodziah said lessons taught by Khalid had left a mark on those who had worked with him and continue to serve the people in Selangor today.
‘A firm leader’
Representing the current administration, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shaari also recalled how he rose through the ranks, beginning as a deputy youth and sports exco under Khalid's administration from 2008 to 2013.
"At the time, we were all working under him. Personally, he was a firm leader.
"He was a stickler for punctuality and processes in doing something. All his actions and instructions often became valuable experiences and lessons to anyone who worked with him," said the Sungai Tua assemblyperson.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin ShaariRepresenting a younger generation of Harapan elected representatives, Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Najwan Halimi credited Khalid for his "legacy" of building up the state's reserve and introducing economic policy changes practised to this day.
"He introduced many programmes built around the 'merakyatkan ekonomi Selangor' plan to share the state's wealth.
"The free water policy, Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor contribution for newborns in the state and many others.
"I am very saddened with the loss of one of our (PKR) leaders," said Najwan, a former staff at the Selangor economic adviser's office during Khalid's administration.
Seputeh MP Teresa KokAlso seen were Harapan leaders and MPs including Seputeh MP Teresa Kok who said Khalid's background as a prolific corporate man was clearly seen in his leadership style.
"I still remember at that time when we (then Pakatan Rakyat) took over Selangor (in 2008), there were many state subsidiaries that recorded losses.
"He had ordered an audit of all the companies and met with its CEOs, ensuring they are following expected principles of accounting and good governance," said Kok.
'Khalid a party man'
Meanwhile, Selangor BN chief Noh Omar described Khalid as a gracious leader who accepted PKR's move in 2014 to replace him with then party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail through orchestrating the Kajang by-election.
"The Kajang Move was done to replace the menteri besar (Khalid) but as a party leader, he still campaigned for Wan Azizah's victory.
"He was a gracious man, a party man. If it was any other person, if they knew the winner would be their replacement, for sure they would be disappointed.
"I saw during the by-election campaign how he went down and supported her," said Noh who also recalled Khalid's time in Umno, prior to him joining PKR.
Others seen at the funeral include Selangor Harapan leaders, Selangor PAS leaders, federal ministers including Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Idris Ahmad, as well as Khalid’s former staff members.
Over a hundred congregants joined the funeral prayers at around 1.40pm before Khalid's body left the state mosque to the cemetery.
Khalid, 76, breathed his last at the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Hospital last night, where he had been admitted for various complications since April 23.
Khalid leaves behind his wife, Salbiah Tunut, four children, and two grandchildren. - Mkini

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