In Kedah, bafflement over haste to show Mukhriz the door

ALOR SETAR, Feb 5 ― Sections of Kedah believe that Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir was not allowed the opportunity to perform to his full potential before the state chapter of Umno forced his exit.

They were also unconvinced that Mukhriz's removal was due to alleged deficiencies in his administration, viewing the two-week campaign waged by new Kedah mentri besar,  Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, to be a political power grab.“As far as I know, Mukhriz was doing his job well; he's young, he has good visions for Kedah so he should be given more time to continue with his plans for Kedah,” Siti Noridah Ahmad, 30, said in an interview with theMalay Mail Online.

Although conceding that she did not keep up with political news, Siti still said she did not see the reason why there needed to be a new mentri besar.

When asked about her views on Ahmad Bashah, she said she knew little about him saying that he was much older than Mukhriz.I've not heard much about him except during these two weeks about him wanting to remove Mukhriz, which I think is not right,” she said.

A shopkeeper, Mohd Ali Azim, 26, said the tussle for the mentri besar’s post in the last two weeks was ugly and uncalled for.

He pointed out that Mukhriz cared for the well-being of the people as the latter had repeatedly spoken out against the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he said was a burden to the people.

“Mukhriz didn't do so badly in the past three years so I don't understandwhy they have to change,” he said, adding that if given more time, Mukhriz would have brought changes to the state.

Like Siti, he said he did not know much about Ahmad Bashah except for what was said about him in the news recently, but hoped that he would be able to bring development to the state.

A. Karrupan, 45, said Mukhriz was not given sufficient time to prove that he could perform well as the mentri besar.

Mukhriz took office in May 2013, after Barisan Nasional wrested the state back from the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat in the general election of that year.Three years is too short for us to know how good he is and now they change to someone we don't really know, so I don't know what will happen next,” he said.

Coffeeshop owner E.S. Tan was sceptical that a new mentri besar will mean development and positive changes for Kedah.

“Regardless of who the mentri besar is, life goes on, we still have to struggle to make a living and all they do is to fatten their own pockets, they don't care about us,” he said.Mukhriz resigned as the mentri besar on Wednesday, after he was informed by the Kedah Regency Council that he no longer commanded the confidence of the majority in the state assembly.

Ahmad Bashah, who had led a delegation to call for the removal of Mukhriz, was appointed to replace him and sworn in yesterday.

Umno leaders continue to reject speculation that Mukhriz was forced out of office as reprisal for his and his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of the party’s leaders.  THE  MALAY  MAIL  ONLINE