Too soon to judge Mukhriz’s performance, Kedahans say

Kedahans polled by The Malaysian Insider say Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir should be allowed to serve a full term so he can put his policies to work. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 21, 2016.

With Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir appointed the role of Kedah Menteri Besar for less than three years, Kedahans feel that it is still too early to judge him based on development in the state.

Many said the first-time menteri besar simply needed more time to govern Kedah and put his plans and policies to work.

An air of sympathy for Mukhriz could be felt among Kedahans, after 14 out of 15 Umno division chiefs in the state wanted him removed.

He was accused of poor performance, spending too much time in Kuala Lumpur, and had sidelined the Umno “warlords”.

"It is too soon, as he just became MB (menteri besar). He has not even served a full-term so surely he does not have enough time to fulfil his election manifesto.

"He deserves a chance, and more time to work," self-employed Alor Star resident Farok Hamdan, 30, told The Malaysian Insider when approached at a local restaurant.

Another local, Adib Aziman, 28, believed the development issues were cooked up by Mukhriz's detractors, namely those who wanted him out of office.

"That is just their issue. Are there any issues against him or scandals affecting his government?

"Could be, it is because of his father," he said, referring to Mukhriz being the youngest son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir has become Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's harshest critic over various issues, especially the debt-ridden state investor 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

On Wednesday, Dr Mahathir reportedly said he had not given up his campaign to remove Najib from office.

On the same day, the 14 Umno division chiefs in Kedah declared that they had lost confidence in Mukhriz.

Adib said of all the menteri besar in Kedah, he found Mukhriz the most approachable and “closest to the people”.

He added Mukhriz was also the "paling mudah diselfie", meaning easiest person to take selfies with.

"Youths support him. His government has been organising many programmes for youths. He has also done much for Kedah football.

"I think it is unfair to judge him so early in his tenure as MB."

A Kulim businessman said Mukhriz should be given more time to work, although he felt that development in Kedah was rather slow.

He said he would prefer a development boom like in neighbouring Penang.

"I don't know much about politics but I have heard remarks that he is not in Kedah most of the time.

"But if he is removed, do we have someone who can take over from him and do better?

"I think we can give him until the end of the term. Let's see what he can do," the 42-year-old who wanted to be known only as Raj said.

A businesswoman in Pekan Cina, Tan Yen Ho, 61, however, said claims of Mukhriz had done nothing for Kedah development were lies.

She said in the Chinese business area, the government under Mukhriz, had brought many positive changes to bring life back to the area, which had been a dead for many years.

"The government has taken initiatives to beautify and make this part of town more cheerful, which encourages business.

"Many businesses here have been around for decades and the area has not been as lively before like now," she said, adding that several roads there were also recently renamed and one was given a Chinese name – Jalan Datuk Dr Cheah Tun Lok.

Tan said to be fair, Mukhriz did do something for the people and she hoped he would not be removed.

"Let him finish the current term. If he is truly unable to do the job, then replace him come the next polls."

The 14 division chiefs said Mukhriz had failed to strategise to keep the Kedah government in the next election, which was due by 2018. Citing loss of confidence, they wanted him replaced.

- TMI