Perikatan Nasional won't interfere with Mukhriz's position as Kedah MB - source

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir's position remains secure despite the new Perikatan Nasional regime having the ability to challenge the current state of the Kedah government.

According to sources, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS will not interfere with Mukhriz's position at the helm of the state government even though he has not fallen in line with the Bersatu president's move to form a new government.

It is understood that this path is being taken to avoid confrontation with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Mukhriz's father.

"Mukhriz's position as menteri besar is expected to remain, as PAS itself does not put pressure on the government to change.

"In fact, the prime minister did not want to interfere as Mukhriz is still with Bersatu.

"This is to avoid a clash with Mahathir following the change of government," the source told Malaysiakini.

Mukhriz was elected menteri besar after Harapan won the general election in May 2018.

His position has come into question following the formation of Muhyiddin's new alliance, which Mukhriz does not support.

Currently, PAS has 15 seats, the most seats in the Kedah state assembly, followed by PKR (7), Bersatu (6), Amanah (4), Umno (2) and DAP (2).

However, on Feb 27, Mukhriz announced the support of 19 Haparan assemblypersons to maintain the state government.

This was in contrast with Bersatu's position in the federal government and in Johor and Malacca, where defections had left the political leadership of the two states in Umno's hands.

Mukhriz had said the decision was also conveyed to the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallahuddin Badlishah, who gave the state administration his consent.

Meanwhile, a senior political party leader in Perikatan Nasional said they were in the midst of analysing what Harapan had done since winning the 2018 general election.

"We do not want to be like Harapan. If they win, they will aggressively 'attack' and eventually incite public anger.

"Instead, we want to calm things down and manage the new government peacefully, so we are not pressuring Mukhriz's position in Kedah," said this source. - Mkini