KLANG — The ongoing tussle between Pakatan Harapan (PH) components DAP and PKR for the sole Indian representative in the Selangor executive council has apparently been resolved with the former expected to name its elected rep for the post.
According to a PKR source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the decision was conveyed to them by caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s allies.
“We were informed by them that there will be no Indian rep from PKR for the state line-up despite us having pushed for it for the longest time.
“Apparently, DAP insisted on being given four exco positions to which Amirudin conceded to in the end. So from what we have been told, there will be four exco members for DAP, three for PKR, two for Amanah and one for Umno/BN in the lineup,” he said.
The source, who is also a party division chief, said while the decision was a tad disappointing, PKR’s Indian members have accepted it in the hopes that DAP’s Indian exco would be pay attention to all grouses issued by Indian leaders, including those from MIC as part of the unity government pact.
When asked on who would be DAP’s Indian representative for the exco post, the source speculated that it would likely be given to Bukit Gasing assemblyman R. Rajiv due to his experience, having retained the constituency for the third term in a row.
“Rajiv has done two terms already so he has the experience and the know how to start his third term.
“On that basis he should be the one that DAP chooses despite reports saying that it will be first-time Banting assemblyman V. Pappa Raidu.
“Pappa Raidu could be a liability and concerns of nepotism would arise if he was picked. His brother V. Ganabatirau (now Klang MP) has done two terms as exco, and if Pappa Raidu is next, that is the impression many would get.
“Kota Kemuning’s Preakas Sampunathan is too new and fresh in politics to be given the exco post as well,” said the source, adding that whoever was appointed must be able to communicate and deal with issues involving the minority community more effectively compared to previous leaders.
Meanwhile, on the PKR front, the source said newly elected Seri Setia assemblyman Fahmi Ngah would likeliest be appointed as one of PKR reps for the exco position, given his past track record as Smart Selangor Delivery Unit (SSDU) managing director and Selangor Research Institute director.
PH lost its two-thirds majority in the August 12 state polls winning just 32 of the 56 state seats – a far cry from the 51-seat supermajority that it won in 2018.
DAP, however, which won 15 of the seats may believe it has more claim over the exco positions based on the fact that it holds the majority bloc in the state legislative assembly while PKR already has been given the menteri besar’s post.
PKR has 12 seats and Amanah has five. BN-Umno has two, contributing to the state government bloc’s 34-seat majority.
DAP also has three assemblymen from the Indian community – Pappa Raidu, Preakas, and Rajiv – while PKR has only one, who is Sentosa assemblyman Gunarajah George.
The exco line-up will be announced tomorrow afternoon, following the swearing-in of the menteri besar earlier on the same day.
Amirudin is tipped to serve his second term as menteri besar, despite speculation that two others were being considered – including Fahmi and Kota Anggerik representative Najwan Halimi. – August 20, 2023
 components DAP and PKR for the sole Indian representative in the Selangor executive council has apparently been resolved with the former expected to name its elected rep for the post.){kind=link}