Gag order on Kedah reps after audience with sultan over MB’s fate?

The 19 Kedah assemblypersons who were granted an audience with the state ruler today appeared to be under a gag order to remain silent after their meeting to discuss the fate of Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

The assemblypersons refused to respond to the media, who were only allowed to wait outside the gates of Wisma Darul Aman, where the meeting was held since 9.15am.

Contacted later, Kedah opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (Jeneri) merely told Malaysiakini: "have to zip our mouths today".

It is learned that Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons are scheduled to meet with the sultan this afternoon.

Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah will issue a statement after meeting with the assemblypersons.

Other than Sanusi, those who met with the sultan included Dr Mohd Hayati Othman (Tokai), Siti Aishah Ghazali (Merbau Pulas), Suraya Yaacob (Sungai Tiang) and Norsabrina Mohd Noor (Bandar Baharu).

The royal audience comes after 23 assemblypersons purportedly submitted statutory declarations saying they had lost confidence in Mukhriz's leadership as MB.

Meanwhile, a circular from the Kedah state secretariat said that state executive councillors will be sworn in on Sunday.

A source said that the event is to renew the tenure of the current state exco members.

So far, the circular indicated nothing about a change of government.

Mukhriz found himself in hot water for the second time as menteri besar after two PKR assemblypersons quit the party and pledged allegiance to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

This was followed by four Bersatu elected representatives who also switched sides to Muhyiddin's camp, after the premier seized the government from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in March, ending Pakatan Harapan's 22-month rule.

Mukhriz had described the move by the Bersatu assemblypersons who switched sides as a "betrayal" by friends.

Following the current political developments, out of 36, Perikatan Nasional now has 23 seats - PAS (15), BN (2), independent (2) and Bersatu (4).

With this, Pakatan Harapan lost its majority to rule the state with only 17 seats - Bersatu (2), PKR (5), DAP (2) and Amanah (4).

Sanusi, who is highly speculated to replace Mukhriz, is expected to be sworn in as menteri besar on Sunday.

Sanusi, however, told PAS mouthpiece Harakah that the earliest the new government of Perikatan Nasional would be sworn-in is on Monday, May 18.

Meanwhile, Kedah Bersatu deputy chief Anuar Abdul Hamid insisted that Pakatan Harapan's stand is that a vote of no-confidence should be tabled in the state assembly.

"It should not be done through interviews or the second alternative is to dissolve the assembly and hold fresh elections," Anuar added. - Mkini