The group plotting to oust Mukhriz Mahathir from being the Kedah menteri besar were those who had caused Umno to lose in the state in the 2008 general election, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
Describing the group as not having a good reputation, he described their move to demand the removal of Mukhriz as being "very political".
"They have made the move without consulting the views of the people (the grassroots) and they (the people) would have to bear the consequences (should there be any change to the state leadership)," he said.
He told reporters this after officiating at Global Doctors Clinic, an international medical services chain in Langkawi.
While admitting that he did make changes to the leadership of Kedah during his tenure as the prime minister, he said Umno continued to rule the state.
Last Wednesday, Kedah Umno deputy liaison chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah led a delegation comprising 15 Umno division chiefs, state and federal lawmakers who expressed loss of confidence in Mukhriz to call for his removal as menteri besar.
Mahathir said since the issue erupted, he met Mukhriz where the matter was among the things that they discussed apart from family matters.
When asked on his advice to Mukhriz, he said: "In politics, anything can happen. Nothing is permanent where friends can become enemies and enemies become friends."
He said that he had not spoken to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak since the beginning of the issue, adding that he had no advice to offer to the latter.
"I think he will have to do it (deal with the matter). He is clever and doesn't need me to advise him," he added.
- Bernama
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