WATCH THIS SPACE: Kedah UMNO Has Launched A 'War' Against MB Mukhriz Mahathir
Mukhriz Mahathir has reportedly been speaking about changes in high-level leadership and reform in the local political scene.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 20 Jan 2016, 06:30 PM — Updated over 8 years ago
BREAKING: Kedah UMNO's Ahmad Bashah To Be Sworn In As The New Kedah MB Replacing Mukhriz
Mukhriz Mahathir (left); Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (right)
Image via Hasnoor Hussain/The Malaysian InsiderState secretary Datuk Bakar Din said Bashah would be sworn in tomorrow morning at Istana Anak Bukit, Alor Setar.
The appointment ends more than two weeks of the state's leadership crisis following a revolt against Mukhriz.
Bashah, the Kedah Umno liaison deputy chairman, led the charge to remove Mukhriz on January 20.
He had accused Mukhriz of failing to unite the party leadership and machinery, and lacking strategy for Kedah Umno to face the 14th general election.
themalaysianinsider.com
Mukhriz Mahathir announced his resignation earlier today, citing loss of support from state leaders as the major reason
Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has announced his resignation as the Kedah Menteri Besar on Wednesday (3 February) at a packed press conference held at his office in Wisma Darul Aman.
His resignation will take effect immediately.
About two weeks ago, 14 of 15 UMNO divisional leaders in Kedah sparked a revolt against Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, saying that his weak leadership had stalled the state's economy.
"I'm sorry to say, that as long as Najib is still there, UMNO is still at its weakest point right now,"Mukhriz added.
21 JAN: Sacking Mukhriz will cause "bigger split in UMNO", says Muhiyiddin
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the sticks up for Mukhriz at the press conference today
Image via malaymailonline.comThis statement was released at a press conference today comprising of Kedah UMNO leaders and majority of state and federal lawmakers.
“I fear that if the demands for Muhkriz to step down is entertained by the party leadership, Umno will lose the respect of the people and face even tougher challenges in the coming days." he says.
themalaymailonline.com
Muhyiddin also pointed out that Mukhriz played the most important role in helping Barisan Nasional in securing Kedah from PAS and deserved to retain his MB post as promised by the prime minister.
Keeping Mukhriz in UMNO will help restore confidence of the people in the party as he is seen to be "clean, liked by the people and is not embroiled in any claims of moral misconduct. A breach of trust or corruption can affect the people's trust towards the party and the state government under his leadership,” stated Muhyiddin.
Meanwhile, challenged Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir said that he will stay on as long as the rakyat supports him when he addressed the 1,000-strong crowd outside Bangunan Tunku Alor Setar last night, 20 January
"Hidup Mukhriz" was chanted by his supporters outside the Kedah UMNO headquarters, rallying for him to stay as menteri besar.
He was greeted by his supporters as he entered the building at 9.50pm for the Jerlun Umno Division meeting on January 20th after Kedah UMNO leaders declared he was no longer fit for the job earlier that day.
There were also loud chantings of "Hancur Najib" heard among the mob of Mukhriz devotees during the rally
The current PM was seen as the reason for Mukhriz's removal who called out on his actions during the 1MDB scandal.
When Mukhriz left the building at 11.30pm upon the dissolvement of the meeting, his supporters pushed to get closer to their hero. Before he disappeared into his car, he left with a statement that lifted their spirits:
"I thank all of you because some said earlier that I did not have any support. Please remain calm and patient. Everything that happens happens for a reason" he said.
"This is a normal challenge. We pray for good things to come and for Kedah to remain peaceful and prosperous"
malaysiakini.com
20 JAN: Kedah UMNO leaders have started a rebellion against their menteri besar, Muhkriz Mahathir, saying that they have "lost confidence" in his leadership
A concerted move to oust Mukhriz Mahathir had finally been set in motion, less than a year after the Kedah menteri besar succeeded in staving off a rebellion.
According to Berita Harian, Kedah UMNO chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah also called for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to intervene and replace Mukhriz as menteri besar.
"The entire state UMNO leadership and elected representatives gathered here today hereby announce that we have lost confidence in the leadership of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah UMNO liaison chief and as Kedah menteri besar," read Ahmad Bashah from a prepared statement.
malaysiakini.com
The outspoken Kedah UMNO deputy chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, has given four reasons on why Mukhriz should no longer be the menteri besar of Kedah, namely:
UMNO leaders at the press conference that was held this afternoon, on appealing for a new leader
Image via Berita Harian2. The lack of strategic planning in preparation for the much awaited 14th General Election.
3. Failure to move and lead the party's machinery after becoming the menteri besar of the state.
4. Poor management of state administration.
Mukhriz, son of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been the menteri besar of Kedah since his victory in the 13th general elections back in 2013.
In the "no-confidence" press conference that was held earlier today, a large group of prominent UMNO MPs and leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over Mukhriz's ruling, appealing for a change in leadership for the state of Kedah
Among the lawmakers present at the press conference were Kubang Pasu MP Datuk Mohd Johari Bahrom, Padang Terap MP Ghazali Ibrahim, Jerai MP Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
Mukhriz's support for Najib’s leadership has come under scrutiny after his father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad publicly campaign to remove the prime minister.
At a dinner organised by Kedah Umno during the party general assembly in December last year, Mukhriz had taken a swipe at Najib’s stewardship of the party and country when he called on Umno grassroots members to fight for leadership reform.
He told them not to fear reprisal from the top, or they risked seeing their party suffer defeat in the next general election.
themalaysianinsider.com
This strong opposition against the long standing UMNO member comes after his calls for change and leadership reform at a party dinner late last year
“We are facing a critical challenge and we must change if we want to remain (relevant) in the next general election. “If we are alone, it is like a dot in a vast ocean. But if we work together, all of us united, we can continue that pressure,” Mukhriz was quoted as saying in news reports.
He also appeared to have aligned himself with sacked deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former rural development minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
themalaysianinsider.com