Decision to terminate Tun Mahathir's appointment fair - Idris Jusoh

Idris, who is Higher Education Minister, said the decision was made collectively by the cabinet yesterday as the post was usually given to those who supported the existing government.

"Now, Dr Mahathir was not only with the opposition but was working to bring down a legitimate government voted in by the people and therefore he should be dropped as Petronas advisor," he said after joining about 1,000 participants in the Putra-Makna Run 2016 at Universiti Putra Malaysia, here today.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement said the cabinet unanimously agreed to end the appointment of Dr Mahathir as Petronas advisor as his views did not support the government and he should not be holding any posts linked to the government.

The Prime Minister's Office said the cabinet discussed the action of the former prime minister especially after launching the Citizens' Declaration which was aimed at overthrowing the government through an action which was against the law and the constitution of the country with opposition leaders last week.

Dr Mahathir was appointed Petronas advisor after resigning as prime minister in 2003. He is also the chairman of Proton Holdings since June 2014.

On the controversy of the no-confidence motion against Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman on Tuesday, Idris said it would enable Razif to administer the state with greater ease after obtaining the pledge of support at the State Legislative Assembly sitting recently.

"Terengganu is calm as support for the menteri besar is stronger than before. Efforts to topple Razif has failed and we will continue to give him the cooperation to carry out his duties as a good Terengganu menteri besar," he said.

On Tuesday, Kijal state assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said tabled a no confidence motion against Razif before ending his debate on the Royal Address by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin but it was rejected by state assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.

Meanwhile in Teluk Intan, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the cabinet decision to terminate the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) advisor yesterday was appropriate.

He said this followed Dr Mahathir's signing of the Citizens' Declaration with opposition party leaders which proved he wanted to bring down the government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is UMNO president.