KEDAH now has a “Pakatan Plus” administration despite the change in government at the federal level, said a senior exco.

Six Kedah assemblymen from Bersatu, including Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, have decided to back Pakatan Harapan despite their party’s exit from the coalition on February 24.

The reps continue to support the state PH administration, said Ismail Salleh, who holds the health, rural development, Islamic affairs and government-linked companies portfolio.

“So, we call it a ‘Pakatan Plus’ government because it is PH plus the six assemblymen from Bersatu,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

With the six, the state government holds a majority of 19 out of the assembly’s 36 seats.

This means that despite losing Putrajaya, PH is able to keep its hold on four states, namely Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kedah.

It has lost Johor and Malacca, while Perak has yet to declare a change in administration.

Ismail said when the federal government collapsed last week, the six Bersatu reps continued to support PH.

Besides Mukhriz, who is Jitra rep, the other assemblymen are Juhari Bulat (Ayer Hangat), Mohamad Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah), Halimaton Shaadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam), Amiruddin Hamzah (Anak Bukit) and Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak).

“We all went to the Kedah palace, and in front of the ruler, we all signed declarations that we will continue to support the same menteri besar when the federal government collapsed,” said Ismail.

“When the new prime minister (Muhyiddin Yassin) was sworn in (on Sunday), the six reps did not change their stance, and they remain with us till this day.

“If they had changed and followed the federal government, the Kedah government would have collapsed by now. But this has not happened, and they seem to still be with us.

“Tomorrow, we will have our exco meeting as usual. God willing, there will be no change.” – March 3, 2020.