Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said she had learned a lot from Khalid’s advice and administration style when she was first elected as the Subang Jaya assemblyman in 2008.
Yeoh, who also served as the Selangor state assembly speaker from 2013 to 2018, paid tribute to Khalid for standing with residents to preserve the Subang Ria recreational park and helping with the construction of a pedestrian bridge.
She described him as a leader who was prudent with taxpayers’ money, which would then be channelled back to the people through economic programmes.
“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.
“I am thankful to have experienced public service with him and these invaluable lessons and memories will forever be cherished,” the DAP MP said in a Facebook post.
Former prime minister Najib Razak expressed his condolences to Khalid’s family over his passing, describing him as a strict leader who was always for the people.
“May God bless his soul and grant strength to the family in this difficult time,” said the Pekan MP.
Khalid served as Selangor’s menteri besar from 2008 until September 2014, a month after he was sacked from PKR after repeatedly refusing to vacate the post.
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 gained control of Selangor.
Tricia Yeoh, chief executive officer of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, said she worked under Khalid as a research officer in his office from 2009 to 2011, primarily for economic stimulus packages.
In a Facebook post, she praised Khalid for his humility and tenacity as well for always striving to do “the right thing”, adding that menteri besar had always put others above himself.
“My heart breaks for the man who was my boss for more than two years – the bold, confident and obstinate man who succumbed to illness too early.
“Tan Sri, above all, thank you for your kindness and fairness that you consistently demonstrated. You showed me that a young, Chinese girl with no prior experience in the civil service, wanting to make a difference in her country, could really do it.”
Azmin Ali, who succeeded Khalid as Selangor menteri besar, said he was “heartbroken” over his predecessor’s passing.
“May his family be strong and patient in enduring this difficult trial,” he said in a Facebook post.
Selangor PAS secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir said Khalid’s passing was a big loss to the nation, hailing him as an “extraordinary Selangorian” who was competent and clean and who upheld integrity in serving as menteri besar.
“He was highly respected and loved by the people of this state, including PAS members,” he said.