Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir was removed as Menteri Besar due to his disloyalty and failure in administrating the state as well as in uniting the party, said UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

He said the state's economic performance was not encouraging during Mukhriz's two-year tenure as there was a drop in Kedah financial reserves and revenue collection.

Abdul Rahman, who is also the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said many people were not aware of this as they were influenced by his perceptual game.

"He was made the menteri besar because we expected him to be a spirited young man with new ideas. Although not that political savvy, his economics fundamental should be strong as he was a corporate figure.

"I am telling this so that the young are not deceived by his friendliness," he told reporters after opening the Alor Setar Youth and Puteri UMNO delegates meeting here today.

Also present was Kedah Menteri Besar who is also state UMNO Liaison Committee chairman and Alor Setar UMNO division chief, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.

For the record, Mukhriz was dropped as Kedah Menteri Besar in February last year.

As such Abdul Rahman said young voters in the state need to understand that a leader should be efficient in running the state as well as in strengthening the party.

Earlier, in his speech, Abdul Rahman revealed that the state's financial reserves dropped from RM208.94 million in 2013 to RM43.40 million in 2015 while the total revenue decreased from RM518.3 million in 2013 to RM411.05 million in 2015.

-- BERNAMA