PERIKATAN Nasional will take over the Kedah government now as a majority of the state’s assemblymen have lost confidence in Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, state opposition chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said today.

The PAS state deputy commissioner 1 said that 23 assemblymen in the 36-seat state legislature, including four from Mukhriz’s Bersatu party, now back a new government. 

Kedah is the fourth state government to change hands since Muhyiddin Yassin pulled Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan on February 24 and became prime minister on March 1.

“The PH government has lost its right to be the government. We have decided with the cooperation of 19 here to form the PN government in Kedah,” Sanusi told a press conference today.

He said PAS, Umno and Bersatu’s party presidents will decide on a candidate for the menteri besar post.

PN now counts two former PKR representatives, Bersatu (4), PAS (15) and Barisan Nasional (2) among its ranks.

Sanusi said the four Bersatu assemblymen who no longer support Mukhriz are Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak), Halimaton Saadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam), Mohd Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah, Langkawi) and Juhari Bulat (Ayer Hangat).

However, Amiruddin Hamzah (Anak Bukit), who is also the Kubang Pasu MP, has said he will continue supporting Mukhriz. 

The other states that have changed state leadership are Johor, Malacca and Perak. – May 12, 2020.