Mukhriz to be offered deputy minister post, rival to be MB?

There is intense speculation that Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah will replace Mukhiz Mahathir as menteri besar of Kedah.

Mukhriz in turn will be offered his previous post of international and trade industry deputy minister, according to pro-Umno portal MyKMU.net.

"Many among the Kedah Umno division leaders who are in Kuala Lumpur (to meet with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya this evening) are saying the same thing.

"This is described as a win-win formula for the current imbroglio, what more when the post of deputy minister is seen to be on par with that of menteri besar," it said.

Such a move, added the portal, would show that Najib has no personal vendetta against Mukhriz as claimed by certain quarters.

MyKMU said Kedah Umno is suffering a leadership crisis and the prime minister is not involved.

"However as president (of Umno), chairperson of BN and prime minister, it is Najib's responsibility to resolve the matter amicably," it added.

Similarly, the Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia also speculated that Ahmad Bashah may be appointed as the next menteri besar.

On Wednesday, 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.

Some leaders, who were at the press conference, later claimed to be in the dark over the agenda.

Mukhriz claimed yesterday that 95 percent of the people in Kedah are backing him, indicating that he will not bow down to pressure.

Speculation was rife that the strike against Mukhriz was a result of his father Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s campaign to oust Najib.

Mukhriz was appointed menteri besar after the last general election. -Mkini