ALOR SETAR, May 13 — Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir says he is still Kedah Menteri Besar and has denied that the Pakatan Harapan-led state government has collapsed.
Mukhriz said the political situation in Kedah was still under control and that the state government was still functioning as usual, including convening the state executive council meeting here today.
“I am still the menteri besar and the state government is still intact, there is no truth to the claim that the state government has fallen,” he told reporters after chairing the exco meeting at Wisma Darul Aman.
He was responding to the statement made by State Opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor yesterday, who claimed that 23 of the 36 state assemblymen have lost confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership.
Mukhriz said if there are parties who have lost confidence in his leadership, there were still several processes needed to be done, including ones involving the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, before a change of government can happen.
Mukhriz said in the meeting today, the state exco members also decided to propose to the State Ruler that matters concerning a leadership loss of confidence must be decided by through the state assembly sitting.
“That will be more transparent, the opposition can table a motion of no-confidence against the menteri besar, or those backing the government can table a motion to voice their support, and if the Opposition has the numbers, then the (state) government will lose its majority.
“In a day or two, this proposal will be brought to Tuanku Sultan as I first need the mandate of the exco members for this, and after this, it is up to His Highness,” he said.
At a media conference yesterday Muhammad Sanusi claimed that four Bersatu assemblymen have lost their confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership, and named them as Juhari Bulat (Ayer Hangat), Mohd Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah), Halimaton Saadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam) and Datuk Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak).
Among the four are three state exco members, all of whom were missing from the meeting today.
— BERNAMA