Umno-owned Malay broadsheet Utusan Malaysia continued its recent support for Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to remain as the Selangor menteri besar, describing him as a "brave leader" who can oppose PKR's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The praises for Khalid were penned by columnist Awang Selamat, a pseudonym several senior editors use to air their opinions.
The column appears amidst an air of inevitability of Abdul Khalid's replacement following months of speculation that started at the turn of 2014.
Yesterday Anwar issuedclear signs that his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (left) is likely to take Khalid's place.
In the column, Awang described Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as a "puppet president".
Anwar reportedly met Selangor PKR leaders yesterday to obtain green light to plans to replace Khalid and said there was general agreement to a smooth power transition.
Curiosly the daily made an emphatic case for Khalid saying, "On paper he (Khalid) obtained the support of Selangor people. In fact he is more popular than Anwar, Wan Azizah and Azmin in the state.
"In terms of integrity, reputation and morality, the MB is more trusted," Awang said in Utusan's Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysiatoday.
Khalid Umno's choice?
The columnist further encouraged Khalid to remain stubborn in letting go of his position as MB until the next general election, claiming that Anwar's hold in the opposition coalition and within PKR itself has become "weak".
"More and more opposition leaders are now fearless of Anwar, who has lost his grip.
"This is because he himself has become a liability for PKR and Pakatan. So Awang is confident Khalid will not be bullied by Anwar," it said.
Awang added while PKR can afford to lose Anwar, it faces "huge implications" if Khalid leaves his post as MB "before time".
"Keep leading, Tan Sri (Khalid), the people of Selangor are with you," the column said.
One of the reasons Khalid has received increasing criticism for his second term despite getting glowing support in the previous term, is what is perceived to be his recent habit of giving in to projects said to be linked to Umno cronies such as the controversial Kinrara-Damansara highway Kidex and the Langat 2 water treatment plant.
The praises for Khalid were penned by columnist Awang Selamat, a pseudonym several senior editors use to air their opinions.
The column appears amidst an air of inevitability of Abdul Khalid's replacement following months of speculation that started at the turn of 2014.
Yesterday Anwar issuedclear signs that his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (left) is likely to take Khalid's place.In the column, Awang described Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as a "puppet president".
Anwar reportedly met Selangor PKR leaders yesterday to obtain green light to plans to replace Khalid and said there was general agreement to a smooth power transition.
Curiosly the daily made an emphatic case for Khalid saying, "On paper he (Khalid) obtained the support of Selangor people. In fact he is more popular than Anwar, Wan Azizah and Azmin in the state.
"In terms of integrity, reputation and morality, the MB is more trusted," Awang said in Utusan's Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysiatoday.
Khalid Umno's choice?
The columnist further encouraged Khalid to remain stubborn in letting go of his position as MB until the next general election, claiming that Anwar's hold in the opposition coalition and within PKR itself has become "weak".
"More and more opposition leaders are now fearless of Anwar, who has lost his grip."This is because he himself has become a liability for PKR and Pakatan. So Awang is confident Khalid will not be bullied by Anwar," it said.
Awang added while PKR can afford to lose Anwar, it faces "huge implications" if Khalid leaves his post as MB "before time".
"Keep leading, Tan Sri (Khalid), the people of Selangor are with you," the column said.
One of the reasons Khalid has received increasing criticism for his second term despite getting glowing support in the previous term, is what is perceived to be his recent habit of giving in to projects said to be linked to Umno cronies such as the controversial Kinrara-Damansara highway Kidex and the Langat 2 water treatment plant.
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