Does Kedah Umno have the numbers to oust Mukhriz?
(MMO) – A faction in Kedah Umno wants Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir out as mentri besar, but may be forced to seek support from PAS should a vote of no-confidence be put to the test.
Excluding Mukhriz, Umno controls exactly half or 18 out of the 36-seat assembly. Jitra assemblyman Datuk Aminuddin Omar, who is also a state executive councillor, however, is known to be loyal to Mukhriz.
Four other state executive councillors are also believed to be on Mukhriz’s side, according to a Kedah Umno Youth grassroots leader, namely Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak), Datuk Suraya Yaacob (Sungai Tiang), Datuk Mohd Rawi Abd Hamid (Ayer Hangat) and Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor (Bandar Baharu).
“As far as I know, Bashah’s claims that 100 per cent of Umno ADUNs are with him is incorrect,” Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi, head of Umno Youth’s Bendang Baru branch in Langkawi, told Malay Mail Online last night, referring to Kedah Umno deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.
“Note also that most of the ‘ketua bahagian’ are seen supporting Datuk Bashah, such as Datuk Azeez Rahim, Datuk Nawawi [Ahmad] and Datuk Johari Baharom are parliamentarians, not ADUNs. Some are neither in Parliament nor DUN, such as Datuk Rozai Safian.
“So, support from a majority of ‘ketua bahagian’ does not constitute support of the majority of Kedah Umno ADUNs, let alone Kedah Umno, especially at the grassroots level where Mukhriz remains personally very popular!” added the son of Umno veteran Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.
