Who is Ahmad Bashah, the new Kedah MB who replaces Mukhriz Mahathir?

Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah was today announced as the new Kedah Menteri Besar by the State Secretary, Datuk Bakar Din.

Ahmad Bashah, who will replace Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, is expected to be sworn in at 10am at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar, tomorrow.

Ahmad Bashah is the Kedah UMNO deputy chairman and five-term Bakar Bata assemblyman, since 1995.

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Ahmad Bashah speaking to ASTRO Awani shortly after the announcement was made this morning

He won his state seat in the 13th general election (GE13) after defeating PKR's Mohd Eekmal Ahmad and Parti Bersatu Sasa's (Bersama) Jawahae Raja Abdul Wahid with a narrow majority of 895 votes.

According to Bernama, the 66-year-old had been involved in politics for more than four decades, holding the posts of Alor Setar UMNO Youth chief, deputy Kedah UMNO Youth chief and Kedah treasurer, among others.

Born on October 10, 1950, Ahmad Bashah was characterised as a 'low profile' leader.

He is married to Datin Seri Hizam Awang Ahmad and has four daughters.

Last Jan 20, Ahmad Bashah held a press conference together with 13 other Kedah division chiefs, urging Mukhriz to step down.

At the event, Ahmad Bashah had requested for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to drop Mukhriz as MB, stating that the people of Kedah had lost confidence in Mukhriz's leadership.