In a rather sudden turn of events, the Kedah state chapter of ruling Malay party UMNO has announced that it has lost confidence in the leadership of current Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.
During a press conference held in Alor Setar earlier today and chaired by Kedah UMNO deputy communications chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, the assembled party leaders urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to swiftly intervene and appoint a new Menteri Besar.
Also present at the press conference were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom, Deputy Defence Minister Mohd Johari Baharom, and Baling MP Azeez Abdul Rahim, all of whom are members of UMNO Kedah.
“The entirety of Kedah UMNO’s senior leadership and public representatives are gathered today to express our loss of confidence towards the leadership of Datuk Seri Mukhriz as Kedah Menteri Besar and Kedah UMNO Communications Chief.
“He has failed to unite UMNO and galvanise the party at any level, and he has laid out no strategies for the upcoming 14th General Elections,” Ahmad Bashah said, as quoted by mStar.
Mukhriz is the son of Malaysia’s longest-serving PM, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Dr M has become PM Najib Razak’s most vehement detractor, openly calling for Najib to be thrown out of office for his alleged mishandling of the ongoing 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion transferred into Najib’s personal bank accounts in 2013.
