Ahmad Bashah new Kedah MB at end January, says Utusan

Kedah Umno deputy liaison chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah led a press conference to demand the resignation of Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as menteri besar. – Facebook pic, January 23, 2016.A new Kedah menteri besar could be sworn in by the end of the month, and the most likely candidate is state Umno deputy liaison chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

The Umno-owned newspaper quoted a source on the matter, who said Ahmad remained the best and most likely candidate to replace Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as menteri besar.

The source said an announcement could be made as soon as within the next two days.

“There is information that the swearing-in will be held at the end of this month at Istana Anak Bukit,” Utusan quoted its unnamed source as saying.

Mukhriz is facing an open rebellion by certain Kedah Umno leaders, including elected representatives at the state and federal level from the lead ruling Malay party.

Ahmad led a press conference on Wednesday demanding Mukhriz’s ouster, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership over failure to unite the party and machinery in Kedah, and his lack of strategies to face the next general election.

Utusan’s source said Mukhriz’s replacement was discussed at a closed-door meeting between Kedah Umno leaders and party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

The leaders refused to talk to the press about the meeting which saw Najib leaving after about 40 minutes.

The source said Najib, who is also the prime minister, would make a decision on Mukhriz’s fate soon.

The Malay daily added that public support for Mukhriz was waning.

It is unclear, however, if Kedah Umno is united in wanting Mukhriz out, with state Wanita Umno head Datuk Maznah Hamid saying she had no clue she would be made to stand beside Ahmad at the press conference.

The Star also reported that of the 260 Kedah leaders invited to the meeting with Najib yesterday, only 54 attended.

Mukhriz, who is the Jerlun Umno division chief, is the youngest son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Some analysts are of the view that he is caught in a proxy war between Najib and his father, who is now the prime minister’s staunchest critic over 1Malaysia Development Bhd and other government policies.

- TMI