LAWMAKERS pay tribute on social media to former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who died last night.

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said she was saddened by the news of Khalid’s passing. 

Yeoh said that she had learned a lot from him in her first term as Subang Jaya assemblyman in 2008. 

“I was 29, inexperienced and benefitted much from his advice and style of administration.

“My unforgettable moments had to be championing to preserve Taman Subang Ria and Tan Sri Khalid stood with the people of Subang Jaya and him assisting with the construction of a pedestrian bridge,” she posted on Facebook. 

This, she said, had meant a lot to the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association and the Sri Varatharaja Perumal temple. She also recalls his advice to fight to preserve a piece of Telekom Malaysia land in USJ 6 as utility land.

Khalid, who was 74, died at 11.08pm at the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Hospital in Kuala Lumpur last night. 

He had been admitted to the hospital since April 23 due to an infection in a heart valve, a Facebook post read.

His remains will be brought to Saidina Umar Al Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, for funeral rites, before being taken to the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building in Section 5, Shah Alam, to allow the people to pay their last respects and offer prayers, the post stated.

In keeping with a decree by Selangor ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Khalid will be buried at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum in Section 5. 

Yeoh, who was also the Selangor speaker from 2013 to 2018, said his knowledge and good governance had benefited the people. 

“I sat through many monthly assemblies for the civil servants in Selangor and heard many of his speeches about gaining knowledge and good governance. He was a good menteri besar. 

“It is an undeniable fact that Selangor prospered much under his leadership. He was prudent and careful with taxpayers’ money.”

The DAP lawmaker said was thankful to have experienced public service with him and those invaluable lessons and memories would forever be cherished. 

Former prime minister Najib Razak described Khalid as a firm leader with a people’s spirit.

“May Allah SWT shower mercy on his soul and grant the family of the deceased perseverance when facing this sad time.

“Please keep them in your prayers,” he posted.  

Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said Khalid was a great mentor and a good friend to her family.

“Sad news on the passing of the late Khalid Ibrahim.Condolences to the entire family and close friends of the late former Selangor menteri besar.

“May the soul of the deceased be placed among the believers and be blessed with Jannatul Firdaus for all his good deeds.

“A great mentor and a good friend to the family.  You will always be remembered,” she posted. 

MCA president Dr Wee Ka Siong also extended his condolences to Khalid’s family. 

“His passing is a great loss to the people, especially in the state of Selangor.  May his soul be blessed.”

Khalid who was born in Jeram, Kuala Selangor, is survived by his wife, Salbiah Tunut, four children and two grandchildren. 

He had served as Selangor’s menteri besar from 2008 to 2014, and was subsequently sacked from PKR.

He joined PKR in 2006 and became treasurer-general. In the 2008 general election, he was elected assemblyman for Ijok and MP for Bandar Tun Razak and became menteri besar when Pakatan Rakyat took over Selangor. – August 1, 2022.