Najib real protagonist behind Harapan and my downfall - Mukhriz

Outgoing Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir blamed former premier Najib Abdul Razak as the real protagonist behind his loss and the fall of Pakatan Harapan.

Mukhriz said the directive may have come from Bersatu president and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin through Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin for him to be relinquished as MB.

"But the real protagonist is still the same, it's Najib (above), and the purpose is nothing more than to escape the 1MDB, SRC and other mega-scandals.

"These scandals have defamed Malaysia in the eyes of the world," said Mukhriz at his farewell press conference in Alor Setar today.

"Just look at Riza Aziz's case ... it may be a sign that others from Umno like Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor and Zahid Hamidi will face the same fate, let's wait and see," he added.

Mukhriz was referring to Najib's defence of his stepson Riza, who entered into a plea bargain over money laundering charges linked to the 1MDB case.

Meanwhile, Mukhriz expressed disappointment in PAS for their involvement in his downfall and Kedah's political crisis.

Mukhriz said PAS has failed to consider his effort in complying with the Islamic party's demands for extra financial support from his administration.

Their request was for the Kedah Pakatan Harapan government to not treat them as merely the opposition, Mukhriz said.

"They (PAS and Umno) asked for additional funds for their service centres.

"For the record, the Kedah Harapan government was among the first states to provide allocation for the opposition."

Mukhriz said he had personally recommended they be given additional funds which were then approved by the state executive council.

"It is clear that they never considered our consideration for the party to receive additional allocation from the state government.

"They failed to consider this when they entertained the intentions of several assemblypersons (from the ruling party's side) to jump ship to be with them," he said.

Mukhriz (above) was referring to six elected representatives from PKR (two) and Bersatu (four) who turned coat to pledge support for Perikatan Nasional and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The move paved the way for a new government when the six joined another 17 assemblypersons from PAS and Umno, totalling 23, to sign statutory declarations stating they had lost confidence in Mukhriz's leadership.

Mukhriz said he had earlier decided to maintain a relationship with Kedah Harapan, so that the government can continue to function.

At the time, the PAS leadership had assured him that they will not pressure Harapan assemblypersons to switch sides, agreeing to allow Mukhriz to continue to be MB until his term ends in 2023.

Mukhriz said he supports his father's - former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - stand to reject Umno's kleptocracy government.

He rejected PAS' invitation to join Muafakat Nasional and continue to rule as Kedah MB as they were still working with Umno.

"It is better for me to be an opposition than join a political group which is tainted by scandals internationally.

"I am also not about to betray the people's mandate who gave Harapan the chance to rule Kedah in the 2018 national polls.

"I would rather die standing than live on bended knees," said a defiant Mukhriz.

Asked if he would challenge his sacking legally, Mukhriz said, "No, as it is permitted by the State Constitution".

He also declined to respond to claims of purported mega scandals by Najib, saying: "I have not read his statement".

Najib accuses Mukhriz of lying 

In an immediate response, Najib took to Facebook and questioned Mukhriz's claims, at the same time accusing him of being a liar.

"Why am I being blamed when this gentleman lost his job?

"Since the movement control order (MCO) started, I just #stayathome, being on Facebook, playing with my cat and eating Super Ring," said Najib who however challenged Mukhriz to prove his alleged involvement.

"Does this gentleman have evidence that I was involved? Please show it.

"Even in this month of Ramadan he dares to tell a lie like this," said Najib. - Mkini