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PM: Dr Khir Chosen for His Experience, Unblemished

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PM: Dr Khir Chosen for His Experience, Unblemished PM:. IX Whir chosefi for his Dr Mahathir said the appoint- ment of Dr Khir was also to show that “this (the post) is not a prize experience, for certain people who have been working very hard to position themselves”. “We want to show, just like I unblemished brought (Tan Sri) Musa (Mohamad) in, who is not even a member of Umno, that this is not a prize for background certain people who have been working very hard to position From W~JI ASIr AUG 2008 themselves. Abdullah in Mozambique “Other people must also have a chance in Umno...so sometimes we SUNGAI Panjang Assemblyman Dr give a chance to others,” he ex- Mohamad Khir Toyo was chosen as plained. the new Menteri Besar of Selangor Asked whether his decision because of his experience, qualifica- would disappoint certain older tions and “unblemished back- leaders in Selangor Umno, Dr Ma- ground”. hathir said they had to accept the Another reason he was chosen by decision. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ma- “They gave an undertaking to me hathir Mohamad is because the that they would accept any deci- government needs new bIood to sion that I made...and that’s my de- bring new thinking to the State. cision,” he said. “He is a university graduate and On whether there was any pro- does not have a bad background,” test over Dr Khir’s appointment, he said. the Prime Minister said: “There’s Asked to explain why he picked a no protest.” young Umno leader as the new Se- “They said whoever I chose, they langor Menteri Besar, Dr Mahathir would accept and support...and af- said: “It is a kind of renewal.” ter I made my decision, they said “We shouldn’t be giving it (the they accepted it and would give post of Menteri Besar) only to older their support.” : leaders because that will cause However, Dr Mahathir had no frustration among the younger peo- plans to make Dr Khir a member of ple,” he told Malaysian reporters at the Umno supreme council. the Southern Africa International “He will not be appointed to the Dialogue (SAID 2000) on Monday. supreme council...many Menteris Dr Khir,, 35, was appointed the Besar are not in the Supreme Coun- Selanzr Menteri Besar to replace cil,” he added. Datuk Seri Abu Hassan Omar who On the release of the last three resigned recently. Malaysian hostages by the Abu His appoi&nen$ surprised cer- Sayyaf group, the Prime Minister tain quarters in Umno circles be- said he hoped other hostages would cause of his young age. be released too. However, Dr Mahathir said no “We do not want others to think one should be surprised by Dr that we are only concerned about Khir’s appointment as he had ap- the safety of our own people. pointed young leaders as Chief “We will continue with efforts to Ministers or Menteris Besar previ- effect release of all the hostages.” ously. Asked on reports that Malaysia “I have chosen young men before had paid a ransom for the release of but nobody said anything...when I Malaysian hostages, Dr Mahathir appointed (Tan Sri) Rahim said: “We do not know...1 wouldn’t (Thamby Chik), (Tan Sri) Ramli know if other people paid the ran- (Ngah Talib) and (Tan Sri) Isa (Sa- som.” mad), they were aI1 very young at the time they became the Chief Minister or the Menteri Besar..
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