KLANG: Support is pouring in for Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim from PKR grassroots leaders in Selangor after the Mentri Besar announced his intent to challenge his nemesis Azmin Ali for the party’s deputy president’s post.

A PKR insider said many party members and grassroots leaders in the state were hoping that Khalid would emerge the winner in the contest for the party’s number two post.

“Khalid is the person who can ‘fix’ PKR and bring it back to its original agenda of serving the people and set a solid ground for young leaders to take over in due course,” he said.

Khalid’s prudent ways also went down well with grassroots leaders who frowned upon any form of extravagance displayed by politicians, he said.

Another party member said Khalid had removed the invisible barrier between him and grassroots members after realising that he cannot merely be an administrator.

“In the past, Khalid ran the state like a conglomerate and neglected his role as a politician as he concentrated on strengthening the state’s coffers,” said the party source who declined to be named.

He added once Khalid realised there were people using his busi-ness like approach to discredit him, he decided that he needed to acquire political acumen.

“Those who had tried to discredit him as being a lousy politician must not forget that Khalid is a master strategist and a deep thinker.

“He can achieve anything if he sets his mind to it,” said the source.

Meanwhile, another source said Khalid’s firm stand on the state’s water issue has also garnered him support from the grassroots.

He said as the common man on the streets, grassroots members were more concerned about real day-to-day problems such as families being forced to cope with a water shortage.

“They know that Tan Sri (Khalid) would put aside political rivalry to protect the interest of the people,” he said.

Khalid announced early last week that he would be contesting against incumbent Azmin, who is regarded by many as his political arch rival.

– THE STAR