Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has accused the federal government of manoeuvring to dissolve the Selangor state legislative assembly by appointing Mohd Khusrin Munawi as the state secretary.

NONE Khalid ( left ) said that Khusrin, the former private secretary to then-Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib and outgoing Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) director, was beholden to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and not to the state.

“This is the evil and despicable plan of BN.

“Najib wants to create chaos in Selangor and force the dissolution of the state legislative assembly,” Khalid told a press conference today.

His concerns come amid talk that Selangor, and other Pakatan Rakyat administered states, may decide against dissolving their respective state legislative assemblies in the event Najib calls for snap polls.

Such talk comes at a time when Najib’s popularity is reportedly on a high note, prompting some Pakatan state leaders to consider the option of completing the terms of their state legislatures, which expire in 2013, even if the general election is called earlier.

NONE “We have the right to see out our five-year term,” Khalid argued.

He said a pro-BN state secretary had played a major role in the ouster of the Pakatan administration in Perak in early 2009 and he feared the same would happen in Selangor with Khusrin’s ( right ) appointment.

He said Khusrin’s credentials were weak and alleged that he was clearly “planted” to create problems for the state administration.

“When it comes to professionalism and capability, it has been proven that he is unsuitable,” argued the PAS leader.

He related how Khusrin’s name came out last as deliberations found him to be the least qualified to be the state secretary from a list of six people who were interviewed by a special panel.

‘Erosion of powers of the state’

Khalid also expressed puzzlement at the sultan’s involvement in supporting the federal government in this matter, explaining that what is happening is essentially an erosion of the powers of the state.

“What the BN federal government is doing violates and undermines the rights of the state. The sultan should stand with the state, and help affirm state powers,” he said.

The PAS leader further said that the BN-led federal government was attempting to go against the principle of federalism as outlined in the constitution.

“It is trying to make the federal government strong and take away the powers of the state,” he claimed.