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Kajang assemblyman says his resignation will strengthen Pakatan Rakyat

Kajang assemblyman says his resignation will strengthen Pakatan Rakyat

Former Kajang state assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh said today he had resigned from his position for the greater good of Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor.

Lee, who became a state assemblyman for the first time following the 13th general election last year, thanked the Kajang voters for their trust in him.

"My decision to vacate my position is to help strengthen Pakatan Rakyat's capabilities in Selangor so that they can serve the rakyat better," he told The Malaysian Insider.

"I humbly thank the people of Kajang for the trust and faith they have shown to me when they voted for me to represent them."

A source from PKR revealed that Lee had stepped aside so that de facto party leader and Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could contest the seat.

"A win for Anwar will enable him to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the Selangor Menteri Besar," the source said.

However, another source had a different version of events, saying that PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli would contest the Kajang state assembly seat.

Lee's resignation letter was handed over to Selangor legislative speaker Hannah Yeoh today.

Lee, 42, is a lawyer and former Gerakan member of 10 years before he switched allegiances.

The former Petaling Jaya town council exco member had succeeded the popular Lee Kim Sin as the Kajang state assemblyman in the 13th general election.

In the May polls last year, Lee garnered 19,571 votes, defeating Barisan Nasional candidate Lee Ban Seng, who received 12,747 votes.

Under the law, the Election Commission has to call for a by-election for the Kajang state assembly seat within 60 days of Lee's resignation.

The Star reported this morning that Abdul Khalid had agreed to resign as the Selangor Menteri Besar in the near future. The report quoted a PKR source as saying that Abdul Khalid was expected to announce his decision on Wednesday.

Speculation is rife that Anwar will replace Abdul Khalid as the Menteri Besar. However, both men have denied the report.

Lee's resignation as the Kajang state assemblyman has merely strengthened the speculation.

Earlier this evening, Abdul Khalid said he was prepared to resign as the Selangor Menteri Besar if Pakatan Rakyat had reached a consensus about his successor.

"I can withdraw if the party has identified my successor, but until now, there has been no discussion about the issue," he said.

In the 13th general election, PKR won 14 state assembly seats compared to 15 each for DAP and PAS. - January 27, 2014.