SHAH ALAM, Aug 1 — The Selangor State Legislative Assembly observed a moment of silence in honour of former Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who passed away last night.
On behalf of the Selangor government, state assemblymen and state executive councillors, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari expressed heartfelt condolences to the widow of Khalid and his family.
In the special motion, Amirudin, who is also the Sungai Tua state assemblyman, said Khalid has made many contributions to the state during his two-term as the menteri besar, which had brought great impact on the people.
“This includes streamlining the people’s welfare programme that is now known as Iltizam Selangor Penyayang, the idea and development of the Sungai Klang that is now known as Selangor Maritime Gateway project, and the formation and strengthening of the Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) or MBI,” said Amirudin during the state assembly sitting, here today.
In recognition of Khalid’s contribution, Amirudin tabled a special motion to adjourn today’s sitting until 2.30pm to allow the state assemblymen to attend Khalid’s burial today.
Meanwhile, state executive councillor for investment, trade and industry Dato’ Teng Chang Khim, who supported the special motion, said he was appreciative to have had the privilege of serving as the Selangor Speaker as well as a state executive councillor during Khalid’s tenure as the menteri besar.
“Since the country’s independence, Khalid was Selangor’s first menteri besar under the change of a new state government. He had brought many great changes to the legislation and administration that continue to benefit the people. I pray that his soul is blessed by God,” said the Bandar Baru Klang state assemblyman.
The motion was passed by all state assemblymen with no objection.
As a sign of respect for Khalid’s passing, the majority of the Selangor lawmakers donned dark attire.
Khalid passed away at the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, where he had been admitted since April 23 due to an infection of a heart valve.
His remains were brought to Saidina Umar Al Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, for a funeral prayer before being brought to the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah State Mosque to allow mourners to pay their last respects and offer prayers.
Khalid will be laid to rest at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum in Section 5, following a decree by Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
Born in Jeram, Kuala Selangor, Khalid left behind his wife, Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut, four children and two grandchildren.
In 1978, Khalid began working as an investment manager for the Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), a government-run money management company.
He gained popularity in 1981 for organising the “dawn raid” on the London Stock Exchange, which allowed PNB to quickly acquire a 51 per cent stake in the British plantation company Guthrie Corporation Ltd.
Khalid then served as the company’s chief executive officer from 1995 to 2003 when Guthrie was converted to Malaysia, now known as Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd.
He became the first Pakatan Rakyat (now known as Pakatan Harapan) menteri besar to lead Selangor after the state’s fall to the Opposition in the general election of 2008.
A former corporate figure, Khalid had formulated many of the state’s people-centric programmes, including implementing the policy of providing the first 20 cubic metres of water annually for free to Selangor households during his first term.
He was the former Ijok state assemblyman from March 8, 2008, to May 5, 2013, and was also the former Port Klang state assemblyman from May 6, 2013, to May 9, 2018, and former menteri besar from March 13, 2008, to September 22, 2014.
