Ahmad Bashah best choice to administer Kedah - Assemblymen

Several Kedah assemblymen have voiced out that Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah is the best choice to head the Kedah government and strengthen the influence of UMNO and the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state.

They said with his five terms experience as Bakar Bata assemblyman since 1995, two terms as a state executive councillor (exco) and Federal Deputy Minister since 2013, Ahmad Bashah was not just another run of the mill candidate to replace Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as the menteri besar of Kedah.

In fact, even in the party, he played a key role in wresting back Kedah from the opposition in the 13th general election in 2013, they said.

State exco Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zin said: "He is experienced, responsible and with his excellent background, can reunite the party. I am confident the people of Kedah will back him to lead Kedah."

Senior exco Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail said: "I am confident he will be able to win the hearts of the people."

He was also confident Ahmad Bashah could administer the state well, especially in realising the development agenda in terms of the economy via the help of the Federal Government.

Bukit Kayu Hitam assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar said Ahmad Bashah could unite and firm up ties among UMNO members and leaders.

He said Ahmad Bashah was tested in the 13th general election after the state was ruled by PAS and had worked hard to seize it back from PAS.

Meanwhile, Kedah MCA deputy chief Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong said Ahmad Bashah as a "senior politician" in Kedah, was capable of boosting ties between the BN component party members to face the coming general election.

"The next two years will test him in bringing back the support of the people of Kedah to retain BN as the state government. I am confident the appointment of Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah would be in line with the furtherance of BN politics in Kedah," he said.