Utusan blames leadership crisis for Kedah’s zero development

By Clara Chooi

February 25, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — Utusan Malaysia today blamed the protracted leadership crisis in the PAS-led Kedah government for the lack of development in the state.

The Umno-owned daily said the state government has been more focused on resolving the long-drawn-out crisis among its leaders, resulting in its failure to pay attention to the people’s needs.

“This prolonged dispute has clearly affected the state’s development. Awang has not seen any development to be proud of in this state under PAS’s leadership.

“More focus has been given to resolving their party leadership, resulting in their failure to give the people their much-needed attention,” the daily’s editors wrote, writing under the pseudonym Awang Selamat.

Awang however noted that the ongoing unity crisis in the Kedah government was no secret, describing it as a volcano that was ready to erupt at any time.

As such, Awang said it was no surprise that Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, who is currently facing the latest ouster bid by several state leaders, had said his new state exco line-up would include a “surprise”.

According to The Star Online today, the embattled Azizan has stolen a march on his rivals by excluding them in his new state executive council line-up.

It is believed he has excluded Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi and Dr Ismail Salleh, two of the exco members who have sought his ouster.

According to The Star Online, Azizan had been given the mandate by the top party leadership to avert a political crisis in the state as he saw fit.

The top party echelon had realised that the two opposing sides were deadlocked over a solution after holding separate meetings, according to a senior party central leader.

While awaiting royal assent for the list submitted to the Sultan of Kedah, Azizan has given an assurance that the swearing in of the executive councillors will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday, The Star Online report said.