A concerted move to oust Mukhriz Mahathir had finally been set in motion, less than a year after the Kedah menteri besar succeeded in staving off a rebellion.
Kedah Umno deputy chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah today initiated an open war against Mukhriz, declaring that the state's Umno rank-and-file has 'lost confidence' in the leadership of the Kedah menteri besar.
He also called for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to intervene and replace Mukhriz as menteri besar.
"The entire state Umno leadership and elected representatives gathered here today hereby announce that we have lost confidence in the leadership of Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah Umno liaison chief and as Kedah menteri besar," read Ahmad Bashah from a prepared statement.
He listed four alleged reasons for the lost of confidence namely Mukhriz's failure to unite the party, his lack of strategic planning for the next general election, his failing to to lead and mobilise the party's machinery and his failure to manage the state administration effectively.
"Therefore we appeal for the prime minister's attention to institute a change in the state's top leadership and also the Kedah menteri besar," he told a press conference in Alor Setar this afternoon at the Grand Alora Hotel.
Ahmad Bashah's call came shortly after a meeting of top Kedah Umno leaders which excluded Mukhriz.
Among the leaders present at the meeting were Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Jerai MP Jamil Khir Baharom and Kubang Pasu MP Mohd Johari Baharum.
They were also present when Ahmad Bashah made the announcement of no- confidence against Mukhriz at today's press conference.
Padang Terap MP Mahdzir Khalid who is in London, was represented by the constituency's former MP Ghazali Ibrahim.
Also present were Kedah Umno youth chief Shaiful Azizy Zainal Abidin, Kedah Umno Wanita chief Maznah Abd Hamid and Kedah Puteri Umno chief Norashimah Md Nowar.
Ahmad Bashah is presently domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism deputy minister through his position as a senator.
He is also Bakar Bata state assemblyperson and is likely to be the main candidate for Kedah menteri besar if Mukhriz is ousted.
Mukhriz is being targeted following his father Mahathir Mohamad's open attempts to remove Najib as prime minister.
In April last year, Mukhriz was pressured by Najib loyalists to openly pledge support for the embattled prime minister.
Mukhriz escaped from being cornered after his supporters pushed for a meeting of Umno Kedah division leaders which subsequently declared there was no necessity for him to openly pledge support for Najib.
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