PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to sack Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was not an easy one to make.

“Khalid is my friend and I consider him as family. It was not easy for me to make that decision,” he told more than 5,000 delegates who attended the party’s 10th national congress at Stadium Malawati today.

Anwar said he had always defended Abdul Khalid when party members questioned his weakness but said he was forced to make the decision to expel him when the Port Klang state assemblyman was indifferent to criticisms.

He said he finally had to resort to sacking Abdul Khalid when he showed indifference to the people’s problems.

Anwar admitted that Abdul Khalid had done many good deeds.

“There are many good things about him like being transparent and honest. I supported Khalid who strictly follows rules,” he said.

“I have held Abdul Khalid’s hands, there are many good things that he has done, but do listen to others,” he said.