Royal consent for Mukhriz' removal?
Published on: Thursday, January 28, 2016
PETALING JAYA: Speculation that political change in Kedah is imminent gained ground after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah granted an audience to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Wednesday morning.The Prime Minister's black Perdana limousine was seen entering the Palace gates shortly before 8am.Putrajaya sources said that the royal audience could not be the usual pre-Cabinet briefing that the Prime Minister has for the King as there was no Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
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All ministers and MPs are in Parliament for a special sitting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).Sources said that the outcome of the audience with the King would be announced later as royal consent to a change of mentri besar, if any, would be validated by an official notification which would be conveyed to the Regency Council in Alor Setar.In other words, the greenlight on a new Mentri Besar will come from the King and not from the Regency Council.It is a foregone conclusion that Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir will be removed as Mentri Besar, with his likely replacement deputy Kedah Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.
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The Regency Council, in an extremely rare move, issued a press release Tuesday denying any role in the ongoing political crisis.Mukhriz had his usual Wednesday audience with the Regency Council before heading back to Wisma Darulaman shortly before noon for the weekly state exco meeting.
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It is learnt that only three state exco members turned up. They were Datuk Aminuddin Omar, Datuk Suraya Yaacob and Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor a sign that support for his leadership of the state government had crumbled.A source said the swearing-in of a new MB could be held at the palace today (Thursday).Meanwhile, Mukhriz said he is not afraid of whatever will come next. Addressing a crowd of around 500 supporters at Air Hitam, Mukhriz said he was prepared for any eventuality.He said he was not afraid as he had done nothing wrong. "I will accept whatever conclusion, because I have only spoken the truth. "I am undaunted. I am not afraid. I believe in the end there will be a 'hikmah' (blessing) on this."Mukhriz has come under fire from members of the state administration, in particular Kedah Umno, who had questioned his leadership. Kedah Umno deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah recently led a group of state Umno representatives to announce that they had lost confidence in him as both Menteri Besar and state Umno chairman. The group asked for Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Prime Minister, to intervene.Mukhriz called on his supporters to remain calm and to refrain from creating chaos."I'm always ready (come what may)…I'll leave it to Allah, sooner or later (the change will happen), I believe the truth will prevail," he said.Mukhriz said the political crisis he faces now could be taken as a warning shot to other state chief ministers and mentri besars.He said that the political crisis taking place in the State had occurred during "calm weather" and was a "shocking situation" that brought about much confusion.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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