PAS leaders have not ruled out a change of state government in Kedah, saying it was now up to the state ruler to decide on the matter.

Party vice-president Dr Ahmad Samsuri Moktar and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the state may fall to Perikatan Nasional, just as three other states in the aftermath of the power shift at federal level. 

They said this after attending a three-hour meeting with state PAS leaders in Alor Star today.

“The post of menteri besar is up to the sultan. Right now there is still an MB,” Samsuri told reporters after a meeting at the Kedah PAS complex.

“At the moment, Mukhriz Mahathir is still the MB. I do not know when the meeting with the sultan is going to be. I am not involved,” he added.

According to Samsuri, the meeting today discussed various matters, including the state legislature.

The meeting was attended by all Kedah PAS assemblymen and two Umno elected representatives.

Takiyuddin also said the matter was being referred to the sultan.

“We leave it to the sultan,” he added.

The closed-door meeting between PAS and Kedah Umno leaders today came a few days after the Islamist party announced its readiness to take over the state administration.

At present, the state is led by Bersatu, along with Pakatan Harapan, although the party has already left PH on the federal level.

Mukhriz, who is Bersatu deputy president, has been against his party’s move to ditch PH in favour of PN.

PN, led by PAS in the state, now appears ready to take over the state government.

The new state government is said to have the support of 15 assemblymen from PAS, four from Bersatu, two from Umno and another two defecting lawmakers from PKR.

With a total of 23 assemblymen, PN will have a solid 10-man majority in the 36-seat state assembly. 

PAS’ Jeneri assemblyman Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is touted to be the new menteri besar.

Soon after taking over Putrajaya, PN had also taken over the state governments of Johor, Malacca, and Perak.

Among PAS and Umno leaders seen at the Kedah PAS complex today were state Umno chairman Jamil Khir Baharom, state PAS commissioner Ahmad Yahaya, and Sanusi, who is also state opposition leader.

Two Umno assemblymen present were Bandar Baru assemblyman Norsabrina Mohd Noor and Sg Tiang assemblyman Suraya Yaakob. – May 10, 2020.