Mukhriz out, new Kedah MB to be sworn in tomorrow

It is now confirmed that a new Kedah menteri besar will be sworn in tomorrow at 2pm, at Wisma Darul Aman, Alor Setar.

This signals the end of outgoing Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's tenure as menteri besar, which he has held for two years after Pakatan Harapan won Kedah in the 2018 national polls.

Mukhriz's position as menteri besar became untenable after Harapan lost federal power to Perikatan Nasional, with the premiership taken over by Muhyiddin Yassin, leading to a split in the Bersatu leadership.

In Alor Setar, preparations for the ceremony have begun today with the rehearsal for the swearing-in of the new menteri besar, PAS' Jeneri assemblyperson Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (photo).

It kicked off at about 10.55am with the arrival of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, who also attended the rehearsal for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for tomorrow.

A notice issued to the media by a police source stated that at 3pm tomorrow, after the arrival of the sultan, the state secretary would declare the appointment of the new Kedah menteri besar.

Sanusi replaces Mukhriz as menteri besar after six assemblypersons - PKR (2) and Bersatu (4) - pledged allegiance to Muhyiddin.

This move paved the way for Mukhriz to lose majority support in the 36-member Kedah legislative assembly, especially after 23 elected representatives signed statutory declarations to withdraw their support from the menteri besar.

Yesterday, the Kedah ruler met with the all the assemblypersons before deciding to appoint a new menteri besar.

Earlier in 2016, Mukhriz was also sacked from his menteri besar post by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, for questioning the former premier's alleged involvement in the 1MDB financial scandal.

It is learned that Mukhriz and PAS will be holding press conferences in Alor Setar tomorrow over the matter. - Mkini