DAP rep firm on neutral vote amid claim it led to Mukhriz's ouster

DAP's Kota Darul Aman assemblyperson Teoh Boon Kok today admitted to taking a neutral stance before the Kedah regency council in the state's menteri besar crisis.

This was amid speculation that the neutrality taken by three opposition assemblypersons helped the Umno faction aligned to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to oust Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah Menteri Besar.

Two other representatives who were named as having taken a neutral position - namely DAP's Derga assemblyperson Tan Kok Yew and Amanah's Pengkalan Kundor assemblyperson Phahrolrazi Zawawi - declined to reveal their vote, citing respect for the regency council as the ballot was secret.

Defending his stance, Teoh (photo, right) said whether it was Mukhriz or Ahmad Bashah who became the menteri besar, both of them were ultimately from Umno.

“Do not forget that we have always been opposed to the policies of Mukhriz's government, including the budget.

"How can we betray our voters and principles by suddenly supporting him?

"It (our stance against Umno) will be the same with Ahmad Bashah as menteri besar, so this is Umno's infighting and DAP has no reason to intervene unless a vote of no-confidence is called in the state assembly," he told Malaysiakini.

As such, Teoh said this was why DAP took the position that the matter should have been put to a vote in the House.

He added that even if Mukhriz had succeeded in clinging on as menteri besar with their support, it would create a very complicated situation.

"Are we (DAP) going to work with Umno? He (Mukhriz) may also need to appoint PAS as state executive councillors (in the new line-up)," he said.

Teoh said it would be a different matter if Mukhriz quit Umno or was sacked from the party.

He said he had no qualms about revealing his stance before the regency council as the Kedah menteri besar crisis was over.

Consistent stand

Meanwhile, Tan dismissed claims that Mukhriz’s ouster was due to some opposition assemblypersons taking a neutral position, saying these were mere speculation.

He added that there was no telling how the vote went, which was precisely why the DAP wanted a vote of confidence in the House.

"We are consistent in our stance against Umno, even if there are those who want to criticise us (for our stance). I hope the people will not be misled," he said.

Phahrolrazi, when asked by Malaysiakini, also refused to disclose his vote out of respect for the regency council.

"The regency council did not announce the voting results so whatever report (of how the assemblypersons voted) is merely a guess.

"How did they know that I did not support Mukhriz?" he asked with a smile.

Sin Chew Daily earlier today claimed that Mukhriz was ousted after receiving only 14 votes in support of him in a secret ballot before the Kedah regency council while 17 assemblypersons, all from BN, voted to oust him.

The report said the 14 votes in support comprise of 10 from opposition and four from BN, including Mukhriz himself.

The result would have been a virtual tie had the three opposition representatives named supported Mukhriz, instead of taking a neutral position.

Two more from the opposition, namely PAS' Anak Bukit assemblyperson Amiruddin Hamzah and PKR's Bukit Selambau assemblyperson Dr Krishnamoorthy were unable to make it for the vote.

There are a total of 36 members in the Kedah state assembly.

Mukhriz was yesterday forced to resign after losing majority support and Umno's Bakar Bata assemblyperson Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah was sworn in as the new Kedah menteri besar.-Mkini