Mukhriz should have asked for House dissolution: Zaid

Outgoing Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir should have sought to dissolve the legislative assembly instead of resigning, former de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim noted.

Mukhiz today announced his resignation, following a loss of support from a majority of Kedah assemblypersons.

"If Mukhriz had lost support, he should have requested for a dissolution.

"Let (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak) know it takes more than statutory declarations to replace an MB," Zaid said on Twitter.

It was earlier reported that 19 out 35 Kedah assemblypersons had signed statutory declarations (SD) to say they no longer have confidence in Mukhriz as menteri besar.

The Regency Council met with all assemblypersons to determine if Mukhriz still had support of the House, following speculation that some of the SDs were signed under duress.

Kedah Umno deputy chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanapiah will be sworn in as MB tomorrow.

Silence of the lambs

Zaid said the decision to resign was "inept".

"The problem in this country is that Najib looks imperious and smart because those who are opposed to him are inept and weak

"Dissolution is the right of a sitting MB who has lost support to ask for," he said.

Mukhriz today said a coup was launched against him after he spoke out on the state investment firm 1MDB.

He said he feels liberated now that he has resigned, and will not be silenced.

Zaid, who quit from the cabinet to protest the arrest of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok under the Internal Security Act, is unconvinced.

"These Umno leaders always start by saying they will not be silenced.

"Not long after it will be the silence of the lambs," he said.

"I suppose at the end of it all, the leaders we have are suited for us because we do not deserve better." -Mkini