Mukhriz's call that Kedah government intact is 'temporary'

Kedah Chief Minister’s announcement that the state government will remain under the leadership of Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu pact is temporary and only serves to lower the political temperature.

Deputy Chief of Merbok UMNO, Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin stressed that it was Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir's responsibility to ensure stability should there be drastic changes in the state’s political leadership.

“In this case, we have to be fair to Mukhriz. We have to give him space to approach the situation and to deliver a strategy.

Shaiful, when met in Alor Setar on Friday, said that there will be more clarity on the ongoing political turmoil and suggested to keep to a ‘wait and look’ approach for the special Parliament sitting outcome on March 2.

However, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof announced later in the day that there won’t be any parliament sitting on Monday as the letter of request by the Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad doesn’t fulfil the criteria outlined in the House’s Standing Order.

Shaiful had also suggested for Mukhriz to look for a more ‘suitable coalition’ to run Kedah, namely UMNO, Pas and Bersatu.

"We have history. We are an Islamic, Malay party but we protect other races too.

“In my opinion, BERSATU does not fit together with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang. It is odd to see BERSATU stand together with Mohamad Sabu and Khalid Samad.

"We must not forget that UMNO and BERSATU have a long history that is well-documented in the country's political history.

“UMNO, Pas and BERSATU should be ready to work together while Mukhriz needs to form a new team for the sake of Kedah's development agenda.

“We prefer a constructive approach because people are tired and confused with the current political turmoil.

“We should move forward and not raise the political temperature. But, if Mukhriz refuses to be together, we will always be a credible opposition, giving facts and bringing new changes,”he said.

On Thursday, Mukhriz announced at a press conference that there was no change in the Kedah government leadership although BERSATU had quit PH.

The Kedah government, he said, is now a PH and BERSATU government.

The decision was reached after Mukhriz received the support of all state assemblymen from PH and Bersatu, and this was consented to by the Sultan of Kedah, Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah. The Kedah State Legislative Assembly has 36 seats, with Pas (15); BERSATU, (6); PKR, (7); Amanah, (4); UMNO, (2); and DAP, (2).