Mukhriz Mahathir vs Ahmad Bashah: A casual analysis of the 2016 Kedah Menteri Besar tussle

Looking back over the past couple of years, in Selangor, Terengganu and most recently, Kedah - each episode played out differently.

But there is one common denominator: No matter how much a Menteri Besar may be loved by the people, once he loses the support of his fellow elected reps, its game over.

Popularity with the rakyat may get you elected, but to stay in power, you need to maintain your popularity in the state assembly.

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What is interesting about what happened in Kedah was that the ousted MB, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, seemed to now enjoy more popularity with the people of the state compared to when he first entered office.

More on that later, but first, let’s put things into perspective.

Prior to becoming the 11th Menteri Besar of Kedah, Mukhriz was the Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, which is arguably an important portfolio.

How did Mukhriz fare?

Well, nothing spectacular, at least from the media's point of view. He did his job and served as a reliable deputy to Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed, who casts a long shadow in his own right.

Of course, as the son of Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the 52-year-old Mukhriz enjoyed a bit more of the spotlight compared to his peers.

Fast forward to the 13th General Elections in 2013, Mukhriz was handpicked to be the MB-designate, despite Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (now the new Kedah Menteri Besar) being the state UMNO and Barisan Nasional chief.

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Some political pundits may argue that the choice of Mukhriz over Ahmad Bashah factored in BN's success in wrestling the state back from the Pas-led administration.

Moments after BN's victory, Kedah UMNO leaders held a press conference affirming their support for Mukhriz to head the state government.

But three short years later, Mukhriz found himself a victim of a clear mutiny.

The fact that almost no one among Kedah UMNO’s top leadership really went to bat for him, indicated that Mukhriz failed to consolidate his leadership during his tenure as MB.

Plain and simple.

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How else could you explain the fact that even some of the members of his own state Exco lineup were not behind him? These were the very people he had handpicked to form his desired administration!

A source close to Mukhriz revealed to me that when he (Mukhriz) was selecting his Exco members, he made his choices solely based on merit, rather than seniority within the party.

This did not go down well with those left out of the inner circle, a fact which is now apparent.

The MB's office is not purely an administration-based position like a chief executive officer.

To hold on to the title of MB, one needs to know how to play the game. Don’t believe me? Ask former Selangor MB Datuk Seri Khalid Ibrahim.

So, did Mukhriz really perform that badly as Menteri Besar?

I don’t think so. His most obvious shortcoming seems to be a lack of political maneuvering rather than ineptitude in handling state affairs.

Nevertheless, I have to commend how Mukhriz has handled himself throughout this whole sordid chapter.

He was always calm, composed and behaved like a perfect gentleman.

In fact, his actions has solidified his persona as a 'political martyr', of sorts.

Mukhriz has definitely learned a valuable lesson from this and I believe it will not be the last we see of him.

Despite never coming out on top each time he ran for positions within UMNO, be it the Vice Presidency, Youth Chief or even at the division level, Mukhriz has the pedigree and the wherewithal to launch a comeback.

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In the end, while he lost his position (and all the benefits that came with it), Mukhriz still came out of this with stronger adulation from his constituents.

As for Ahmad Bashah, well, he has been rewarded for his patience with the position of Menteri Besar.

So you tell me; who do you think came out on top?