KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said he is willing to step down as Kedah’s mentri besar if he no longer commands the support of voters there.
According to Utusan Malaysia today, the Kedah Umno liaison chairman said he was willing to relinquish the post to other Umno leaders as long as his replacement is able to garner enough support for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next election.
"This is not a question about resigning, what I meant was if Kedah citizens no longer support me as their mentri besar, I am willing to quit and allow any other leader who are more popular and is capable of convincing the people in the 14th general election.
"However, if the people are still with me, I urge all parties to work with my administration to ensure we would continue governing the state after the 14th general election and beyond that," he reportedly said in Alor Star after an award-giving ceremony at the Kedah police contingent headquarters yesterday.
The Ayer Hitam assemblyman also urged Umno members to close ranks so that whatever decision made by the state and federal government will continue to get the support of all parties, including all the state assemblymen and MPs.
Meanwhile, Kedah Umno’s deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Mod Hanipah said the party will remain strong even if there is a change in mentri besar.
