Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has confirmed that he is vying for his third term in office in the coming general election as he has no plans to take up a federal post as yet.

The 42-year-old politician, who has been menteri besar since 2000, did not mince his words when asked on his plans for the elections.

“If people think I can contribute at the federal level, I can’t reject that (nomination) but as I would like to stress, there are two or three matters which I have yet to finish and I have to complete them,” he told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview at his office in Shah Alam last week.

“If I am given the chance, I really would like to continue with my work (at the state level),” he said, referring to his aim to further promote Selangor as a developed state.

He added that any final decision on his political future will be left to the top party leaders.

Consistently attacked

Mohd Khir was appointed as menteri besar in the wake of a controversy when his predecessor, Abu Hassan Omar was removed over an alleged sex scandal in August 2000.

His appointment was said to be a move to convince the palace following the scandal as Mohd Khir was then the Umno Youth religious bureau chair.

A dentist by profession, he has not had an easy time since assuming the post as Mohd Khir has been consistently attacked over allegations of corruption , which he has denied.

He also came under fire from the civil society for pushing the ‘zero squatters’ policy, which resulted in a series of emotionally-charged demolitions of squatters since early this year.

Mohd Khir, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Selangor chief, spoke at length on these issues and more during the 90-minute interview.

As for the Umno elections next year, Mohd Khir appeared uncertain about his next move.

He was reluctant to elaborate on the possibility of contesting for vice-presidency - where one of the three spots fell vacant in 2005 following the suspension of Mohd Isa Samad who was found guilty of practicing money politics.

Mohd Khir’s supporters are said to be pushing the leader to move up the Umno hierarchy given the fact that he won a supreme council member seat in 2004 with the highest votes.

“I will look at the other candidates first. If they are better than me, I will support them,” he said when quizzed on this.

He stressed that he did not treat politics as a career but a mandate given by the people for him to serve the country.

I am too old...

However, he ruled out the possibility of contesting for the Umno Youth chief post.

Prior to the last party elections in 2004, Mohd Khir was rumoured to have set his eyes on the post, but he contested for the supreme council post instead.

“I think I am too... too... old for Youth chief (this time). There are better candidates with better plans, it’s better they contest. I have never thought of the post,” he said with a smile.

Asked if he was referring to Umno Youth vice-chief Khairy Jamaluddin when he said ‘better candidates’, Mohd Khir replied that it is up to the members to decide as there are “two or three of them who can go up.”

Khairy won his post in the last party elections uncontested and is seen as the would-be successor to his current boss, Hishammuddin Hussein who is set to move up.

However, some of the grassroots members who are hoping to see a contest for the Umno Youth top post have brought up the names of Mohd Khir and Umno Youth exco Mukhriz Mahathir as possible contenders.

Asked if his decision to not contest for Umno Youth chief was made to avoid a showdown with Khairy, who is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s son-in-law, Mohd Khir did not give a direct answer.

“I think he (Khairy) is better than me - for Umno Youth,” he said, adding that the two of them have no problems.

“We meet, discuss on how to advance the Malays and the country. People say I am the kind of person who doesn’t put my ambition on top, but the future of our community (comes first),” he added.

Highlights

On contesting for Umno vice-presidency

I don’t treat politics as a career, but the trust (placed in me by the people). I am starting to think where shall I go in future. The question is whether I am able to contribute to my country and the community. If there are better candidates, I will support them. The future of our religion and language is most important for me. It’s not about my own career. I never thought that people who hold positions should be considered powerful. I have been given the mandate so I shall do what I should do. I will look at the other candidates first, if they are better than me, I will support them.

Federal post vs state post

If people think I can contribute at the federal level, I can’t reject that (nomination) but as I would like to stress, there are two or three matters which I have yet to finish and I have to complete them. I would like to see Selangor as being the example of our developed nation in 2020. If I am given the chance, I really would like to continue with my work (at the state level). Then it’s up to the federal government to decide. If they think I can’t contribute, then it doesn’t matter, I will do whatever that I can.

Umno Youth chief post

I think I am too... too...old Youth chief. There are better candidates with better plans, it’s better that they contest. I have never thought of the post.

Khairy and him

I think he is better than me - for the Umno Youth (chief post). So far (we have) no problems. We meet, discuss on how to advance the Malays and the country. People say I am the kind of person who doesn’t put my ambition at the top but the future of our community (first).

Tomorrow: ‘I topped the ACA list’