Settle Kedah Umno crisis like family, urges Hishammuddin

Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein hopes the current political crisis in Kedah can be solved in the family spirit, wisely, and rationally for the continuity of the party and people.

Hishammuddin, who is also defence minister, said whatever crisis in Umno would definitely affect the party but would not impact badly on the party and people if tackled in a matured manner.

"I saw the expressions and the stances of the divisional leadership in Kedah, in parts revolving around their own judgment, and the matter has been submitted to Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday.

"In this regard, I hope the issue is tackled maturedly and wisely, based on matters which are closely related to the direction of Kedah Umno and the administration of the Kedah Government itself," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the Sembrong Parliament 'Jiwa Murni' programme at Felda Kahang Timur in Kluang today.

Also present was Army Chief Gen Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Kahang state assemblyperson R Vidyananthan.

Hishammuddin said the leadership crisis in Kedah was not something new at state level, adding that the party had also undergone various challenging situations prior to this.

"While we are not going to face the general election tomorrow, I believe if we tackle the situation well, the effect on the party would not be bad. We have experienced numerous situations, and I have also been the Terengganu Umno liaison chief at one time," he said.

He said this when commenting on the Umno crisis in Kedah.

Yesterday, the Kedah Umno leadership held a meeting with Najib following their urging, prior to this, that Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir step down.

On Wednesday, almost the entire Kedah Umno leadership, including 14 party division leaders, voiced their loss of confidence in the state Umno liaison committee chief at a media conference after a closed-door meeting with almost all Kedah state assemblypersons and members of parliament in Alor Setar.

- Bernama