MUKHRIZ Mahathir resigned as Kedah menteri besar this morning, following the move by six assemblymen to withdraw their support, resulting in the state government’s collapse.

He said the six – two former PKR reps and four from Bersatu – withdrew their backing for him “based on instructions from higher-ups”.

“There had never been any serious problems for the Kedah government throughout Pakatan Harapan’s administration.

“There was no scandal involving me or any of the excos or state government officers over the last two years.

“There was no crisis that caused unease among the people that warranted the menteri besar or state government to change.

“(But now,) there are personal political interests that have ended up victimising the people,” he told a press conference in Alor Star.

Mukhriz’s loss of support gives Perikatan Nasional 23 of the state assembly’s 36 seats.

PAS has 15 seats, while Umno holds two.

The PKR duo, who switched camps five days ago, are Robert Ling Kui Ee (Sidam) and Azman Nasarudin (Lunas).

The four Bersatu reps are Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Guar Chempedak), Halimaton Saadiah Saad (Bukit Kayu Hitam), Mohd Firdaus Ahmad (Kuah) and Juhari Bulat (Ayer Langat).

Mukhriz said the four have admitted to him that they were ordered to withdraw their support by Prime Minister and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

After the presser, Kedah Secretary Amar Shaik Mahmood Naim announced PAS’ Jeneri assemblyman, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, as the new menteri besar.

The swearing-in ceremony before the state sultan will take place this afternoon.

Under the new realignment, PKR has five assemblymen, Amanah (4) and DAP (2). Bersatu also has two, namely Mukhriz (Jitra) and Amiruddin Hamzah (Anak Bukit).

Mukhriz is staying with the party despite rejecting Muhyiddin’s PN government, but talk is rife that he will get the sack, along with his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Amiruddin, who is also Kubang Pasu MP, has rejected the Muhyiddin administration as well, signing a statutory declaration in support of Dr Mahathir as prime minister during the political turmoil in late February.

Since PH’s ouster from Putrajaya, four states have fallen to PN – Johor, Malacca, Perak, and now, Kedah.

Mukhriz had, until now, been able to hold Kedah for PH with the backing of Bersatu reps.

It is the second time he has been forced to step down as menteri besar without completing his term after losing support from among assemblymen.

In February 2016, he resigned under Barisan Nasional rule after criticising then prime minister Najib Razak over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. He had held the post since May 2013.

His second tenure lasted just two years. – May 17, 2020.