Kedah state excos who backed Mukhriz could get the chop

Speculation is rife that the three state executive councillors who supported former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhkriz Mahathir will be dropped.

When questioned, newly minted Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Piah said "Not yet ...I will look into it".

Asked if he could continue to work with the three excos, Bashah reiterated "I will look into it".

The three are Aminuddin Omar, Suraya Yaacob and Norsabrina Mohd Noor.

Bashah spoke to reporters in a press conference after taking his oath as the new MB at a swearing-in ceremony at the Kedah palace this morning.

Bashah was also asked if he had the majority support of the 36-member state legislative assembly.

According to the Kedah constitution, he needs 19 to form the government.

It is heard that Bashah has only managed to obtain the support of 17 BN reps, while Mukhriz is said to have the support of four reps from BN, eight from PAS, and four from PKR.

The remaining three assemblypersons – two from DAP and one from Amanah, have reportedly decided to remain neutral.

"I am here, which means I have the majority," Bashah replied curtly.

Ahmad Bashah replaces Mukhriz as MB after leading a group of 14 division leaders who called for the latter's resignation.

Mukhriz quit yesterday, citing political victimisation for his boldness in criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak's leadership and his alleged involvement in the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion donation scandals. -Mkini