'Mukhriz torn between own father and Najib' - Raja Nong Chik

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir is seen to have been pushed into a corner in between stating his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and agreeing with the views of his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

FT UMNO liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said, Mukhriz needed to be given some time to think things through, and added pressure on him would only make matters worse.

“He can’t say he doesn’t support his father. In Islam, that goes against his responsibility as a son.

“However, I doubt that he would reject Najib. Mukhriz will need some time to make the best decision and that decision will be what’s best for the party,” he said when contacted today.

Raja Nong Chik was commenting on Bukit Lada assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin’s call for Mukhriz to step down as Kedah Menteri Besar if he could not state his support towards Najib’s leadership.

Despite the unfavourable current situation, the former Lembah Pantai MP said the Dr Mahathir-Najib crisis could be resolved over time.

“I’m confident UMNO will still win the next general election. What’s important now is that mistakes are fixed,” Raja Nong Chik added.

Meanwhile, UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein reportedly said Mukhriz, who is also Kedah UMNO chairman, must ensure that Kedah UMNO remains intact despite the criticism by Dr Mahathir against Najib.

The Defence Minister said Mukhriz’s leadership would be deemed a failure if something untoward happens to UMNO in Kedah.