Khir makes debut as opposition leader

May 23, 2008

FORMER Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (BN-Sungai Panjang) made his debut as the state opposition leader yesterday by throwing a challenge to the new Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Khir told the state government headed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary-general Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (PKR-Ijok) to prove itself by fulfilling its election promises.

Khir made the challenge during his thanksgiving speech on the royal address of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

Khir cited the Sungai Sedu landfill issue in Kuala Langat as a major matter the people were waiting for the state government to resolve.

He said if garbage was left uncollected, the roads would soon be overflowing with rubbish.

“This is something which the local councils will have to deal with and for the new state government to prove itself,” he said

Khir also raised the issue of unemployed youths and the social problems associated with it.

He wants to know how the state government would deal with these and other related problems.

Khir got so carried away with his speech that at one point Speaker Teng Chang Khim (DAP-Sungai Pinang) asked: “Are you speaking as a member of the government or the opposition?”

Khir said the Pakatan Rakyat state government should not condemn the Barisan Nasional government which had brought about so much development to the country over the years.

“The fact remains that the Barisan Nasional government has done so much for the people in the state,” he said.

Khir also urged the government representatives to treat the proceeding with respect and in a non-confrontational manner.

He said on the opposition side, the BN representatives would behave well.

“We will not throw the Standing Order into the waste bin and get thrown out of the assembly,” Khir said, obviously referring to Teng’s suspension from the previous assembly.