Salleh: Quit the drama, there is no 'Kedah crisis'

Kedah Umno’s call for Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir to be replaced is not the “crisis” that it is made out to be, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Keruak said.

The call by Kedah Umno deputy chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, which pundits saw as sparking open political war in the northern state, is “actually not a real crisis of crisis proportions”, he said in his blog.

Salleh said Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has had to handle various incidents involving multiple menteri besar since 2009, some which could have led to BN losing the state.

However, “in the end everything was resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, even to the satisfaction of the palace” he said.

“This latest MB crisis in Kedah is no different. The choice of CEO of each state is ultimately the prerogative of the party president.

“But before the state CEO is appointed the party president needs to first get feedback from the party plus sound out the feeling of the palace in states that have menteri besar,” he said.

He added Najib need not be pressured to decide either way.

Mukhriz, whose father and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is on a mission to unseat Najib, earlier said he will not budge as he is appointed MB by the regency council and the people.

Bashah said Kedah Umno grassroots have lost faith in Mukhriz’s ability to lead the state.

Political scientists say if the crisis prolongs, BN could lose Kedah in the next general election as it only has a five seat majority in the state assembly.

Constitutional experts say Mukhriz can only be pushed out through a vote of no confidence by the state assembly or by the regency council. -Mkini