Change in Kedah gov't justified, ends speculation - analysts

The announcement of a new Kedah state government under Perikatan Nasional (PN) after the Pakatan Harapan government lost its majority today is seen as justified and timely, ending speculations which have been circulating for several months now.

Senior lecturer in policy affairs, politics and international studies at the Centre of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Md Shukri Shuib said this change will contribute to political stability which will be good for the people.

He said political developments in Kedah have taken a long time compared to other states like Johor, Malacca and Perak which also saw a switch in government following the change at the federal level.

"I feel that all parties realise that the Kedah government will change too, following changes in the federal government, but politics in Kedah is slightly different from the other states, which is why the changes are just happening now.

“In Kedah, we have personalities like former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Mukhriz Mahathir (above) as Bersatu deputy president who are very well-respected by the people and the state political leaders,” he told Bernama today.

Md Shukri added that the decision will benefit the people who need the state government to have a strong relationship with Putrajaya to ensure more effective development for the state.

However, he reminded the new state government to be cautious and not be over-excited over the events today as it could create confusion and unhappiness among the people here.

Meanwhile, head of the Governance and Integrity Cluster in the Centre of Government, UUM, Ahmad Marthadha Mohamed, said the change in government was expected, but stressed that it should be within the Constitution.

He said it should be the new government’s priority to focus on political stability and resolve all issues plaguing the people, including the lack of jobs and sustainability of life in the time of Covid-19.

“Actually, the people are not too concerned about politics, what they want is political stability which ensures their livelihoods, especially in these trying times,” he said.

Ahmad Marthadha also conveyed his sympathies to Mukhriz who had to give up his Kedah menteri besar post twice, but said anything can happen in politics.

“The first time he became menteri besar, many people did not think he would be toppled and when he became menteri besar for the second time, nobody thought that he would be toppled yet again.

“In politics, anything can happen and nobody can predict the future,” he said.

Earlier today, 19 of the 36 Kedah state assemblypersons announced their loss in confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership.

In a press conference later, Kedah opposition chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said they comprised 15 PAS state assemblypersons, two from Umno and two more from PKR who quit the party today, namely Azman Nasrudin (Lunas) and Dr Robert Ling Kui Ee (Sidam).

- Bernama