ALOR SETAR, Feb 3 ― Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir today announced his decision to relinquish his post as Kedah mentri besar with immediate effect.
In a packed press conference at Wisma Darul Aman, he told reporters that he had to resign from the post because he was told that he had lost the support of the majority in the state legislative assembly.
“I was informed by the Regency Council that I had lost a majority of the support, based on votes taken from the Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition assemblymen by the Regency Council, so I decided to resign from this post,” he said.
He denied that he was forced to resign but said he arrived at this decision because of the loss in support.
“I decided to take this personal stand to let go of this post as Kedah Mentri Besar with immediate effect because I do not want this political crisis to continue being dragged any longer, which will negatively affect the state administration and the people,” he said.
However, Mukhriz believed that the loss of support for him was due to a concerted movement to oust him from the state's highest position while trying to prevent him from speaking out on various national issues.
“It is regrettable that their actions had dragged the Regency Council into Umno's internal political crisis,” said the son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said those involved in ousting him do not have any reasonable complaints against his administration of Kedah.
“In fact, the people of Kedah accept all initiatives I introduced for the state's development,” he said in the 30-minute press conference.
Mukhriz believed that the real motive behind the actions to oust him was his criticism of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the 1Malaysia Development Berhad financial controversy, the RM2.6 billion donation to Najib, and the increased burden on the people due to the Goods and Services Tax.
“I believe the movement to undermine my leadership in the state started about a year ago when I was critical of the prime minister,” he claimed.
He claimed there were orders from the Umno leadership to undermine his authority in Kedah, such as boycotting his meetings in the past year or so.
“It is just an excuse to say I failed to carry out my duties as the mentri besar when from the start, there were efforts to oust me because I was vocal in my criticisms against Najib,” he said.
On his resignation, Mukhriz said he felt as if a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulders and that even if Najib were to offer him a deputy minister post, he would not take it.
“I will not be silent after this. As long as people still want me, I will still continue to voice out for the people,” he said.
