Mukhriz just a political pawn, says dad

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir is just a pawn in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's game, Mukhriz's father and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

Mahathir, who is on a mission to unseat Najib as prime minister, said there is an attempted coup against his son in Kedah because Mukhriz dared to speak up against Najib.

"This is Najib's political game. Whoever criticises him will be ousted, even expelled from Umno," he told reporters at Yayasan Perdana in Putrajaya today.

Mahathir was asked if he believes Mukhriz will be dropped as Kedah menteri besar.

Mukhriz seems to be caught in the middle of the political war between Najib and his father, who has become the prime minister’s fiercest critic.

Last Wednesday, Kedah Umno deputy chairperson Ahmad Bashah held a special conference to declare that the state Umno has lost confidence in Mukhriz.

He also urged Najib to intervene and replace Mukhriz as menteri besar.

However, Mukhriz has vowed that he would defend his position, even if he is offered a federal minister's post.

He said he is neither corrupt nor involved in any scandals, and to sack him as menteri besar merely because he frequently travels to Kuala Lumpur is not a good reason. - Mkini