Umno division chief snubs Muk‎hriz’s call to apologise to Kedah sultan

Datuk Seri Muk‎hriz Mahathir’s supporters at a protest against moves to oust the menteri besar on Friday. Barisan Nasional assemblymen have ignored his call for them to apologise to the sultan. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 31, 2016.

Datuk Seri Muk‎hriz Mahathir’s supporters at a protest against moves to oust the menteri besar on Friday. Barisan Nasional assemblymen have ignored his call for them to apologise to the sultan. – The Malaysian Insider pic, January 31, 2016.A Kedah Umno‎ division chief today refused to comment on Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muk‎hriz Mahathir’s call for his detractors to apologise to the Kedah sultan.

“No comment. I have nothing to say,” said Datuk Nawawi Ahmad who‎ was among those who attended the January 20 press conference urging Mukhriz to step down.

Mukhriz said the press conference had offended the Kedah sultan, as it was held on the same day as his 88th birthday celebration.

But when contacted about the matter, Nawawi, who is the Langkawi MP, refused to respond to Mukhriz’s claim.

Several assemblymen, including the executive councillors who did not attend last week’s executive council meeting, also did not answer their mobile phones after Mukhriz issued the statement calling for an apology earlier today.

Mukhriz today urged the Kedah Umno division chiefs who called for his ouster to apologise to the Sultan and Kedah Regency Council for their actions.

He said their actions did not represent the majority of Umno nor the wishes of Kedah folk.

Mukhriz said the six state executive councillors who failed to attend the exco meeting last Wednesday must also apologise, as they had incurred the wrath of the palace for failing to perform their public duty.

“Until this struggle is resolved, every executive councillor‎ and assemblymen must carry out the duties entrusted to them by the sultan and his people, as enshrined in the Kedah laws,” said Mukhriz in a statement.

Fourteen Kedah Umno division chiefs and wing leaders announced ‎in the press conference that they had lost confidence in Mukhriz’s leadership.

Media reports said 19 Umno representatives in the state assembly had signed sworn statements in support of Mukhriz’s removal.

But Mukhriz’s fate could be sealed tomorrow, when the Kedah Regency Council meets all 21 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen to resolve the issue.

- TMI