KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has hit back at the MTUC, calling on the workers' union to get its priorities right over the dismissal of 22 staff of PKNS.
Speaking after attending a Chinese New Year gathering in Cheras here Saturday, Khalid trained his guns at MTUC deputy chairman Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid who had suggested that he be replaced over the controversy.
"He's the one that should be replaced...they (dismissed staff) are all professional and high income earners. They should focus more on lower-ranked employees who need more attention," Khalid said.
Abdullah Sani, who is PKR's Kuala Langat MP, reportedly demanded that Khalid resign following yet another controversy in PKNS, that came weeks after the removal of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali from the PKNS board.
Azmin, who is Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman, and Khalid had been on rival terms since PKR helmed the state since the 2008 geneal election.
"Enough is enough. Khalid does not know what he is doing and has been ill-advised in managing PKNS. It is time for a change in leadership for the state," Abdullah Sani was quoted as saying.
Khalid, however, justified the dismissal of the 22 PKNS staff, saying that the termination was necessary to give the company's permanent staff better career opportunities.
He said that the decision came after much thought and study following complaints by the permanent staff that they were not able to move up in their careers because of the contract workers.