If Mukhriz loves Umno, he will support us, says Bashah

Newly-minted Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanapiah said those who love Umno, including Mukhriz Mahathir, will continue to stay united despite the political crisis involving the sudden change of MB.

He said Umno supporters, including Mukhriz, who is the son of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, may be sore for “a day or two” about the 14-day episode before quitting his post in defiance yesterday.

“But if they really loved the party, they would return and we will remain united,” Bashah told reporters at a press conference after he took the oath as the new MB at the Kedah palace this morning.

“He is a party man, and if he loved the party, he will return and support us,” said the Kedah Umno deputy chief.

Bashah admitted that there was perception that Umno would be weakened following the MB crisis, which he kickstarted together with 14 Umno division leaders to call for Mukhriz’s resignation.

“We will explain to the people, they know all about the 14-day episode. In the end, the people will understand that we need change because we love Kedah and its people,” Bashah said.

“We will bring everyone back together, all united, as we have to move forward; we have to find a good way to comfort those who have been hurt by the episode,” he added.

Bashah is confident that he can carry out the people’s mandate entrusted upon him by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He added that with his experience in the party and as an administrator, he would carry out his duties in the best of his abilities, with the help of the party and the civil service.

“It is a heavy responsibility but we can achieve what the people want for Kedah if we work as a team,” Bashah said.

Unaffected by personal attacks

He claimed that Najib has promised to develop Kedah since BN wrested the state back from PAS in the 2013 national polls.

“I have known the PM for a long time, and I know he keeps to his word,” said the former deputy minister of domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism.

On the personal attacks against him, Bashah said he is unaffected by them as the most important task for him right now is to get the work done, to unite and develop Kedah.

Since he was announced as the new MB, he was flayed by criticisms of him dozing off during official ceremonies, which he had strongly denied, saying he was merely “shutting eyes to concentrate more” on what is being said during the event.

“I don’t really care about those personal attacks because I have been in politics for a long time,” said the Bakar Bata assemblyperson.

Bashah also vowed to continue the good policies under Mukhriz, who served as MB from May 6, 2013.

“Why should we stop them if those policies are good for the people? We have even continued to carry out policies under PAS, and Mukhriz is from BN,” said Bashah, who was also a former senator. -Mkini