Khalid takes up FT minister post, like brother Shahrir in 1987

KUALA LUMPUR: History repeated itself in an unexpected way after Khalid Abdul Samad was appointed Federal Territories Minister – the very post his brother Tan Sri Shahrir Samad took up in 1987, also under the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Calling it a coincidence, Khalid said he has yet to hear news from his older brother. Khalid, who is Parti Amanah Negara communications director, said he and his brother would touch base soon.

“Even I knew about the portfolio at the very last minute, so I believe it was news to him, too. We have not had the chance to speak.” he said.

Khalid said he hoped to match if not better his brother’s performance while he was in office as the FT Minister.

He said he had heard that Shahrir, who is the former chairman of Felda, did resolve several problems during his tenure.

“I am more than willing to get a few pointers and tips from him. I am always open to advice even if I do not agree with it,” he added.

Khalid said his first order of business was to meet MPs from Kuala Lumpur and would try to form a committee to coordinate relevant issues with them.

He said that in the past, Pakatan Harapan MPs did not have access to the FT Ministers.

He wants to change this and added that Barisan Nasional MPs from Putrajaya and Labuan would be given an opportunity to voice out issues.

“We want to ensure the wishes of the people are heard through their elected representatives.

“Some of the MPs have been in FT for a while now, so I want to get their input.

“However, I do not want to rush into (making) decisions,” he added.

Khalid admits he was treading on unfamiliar ground.

“I will first need to find out about the ministry, its role and scope because it is all new to me,” he said.

Khalid said he would look at the previous issues and projects to see if there were any discrepancies.

He also said he would need to understand the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan and ongoing projects.

Khalid dismissed claims that the FT Ministry was redundant and should have been scrapped.

He said the ministry could be a gobetween MPs and the local authorities.

He also believes the ministry was necessary for coordination with elected representatives since the Federal Territories do not have a chief minister or mentri besar.