MUKHRIZ: I WAS KEEN ON FEDERAL POST
However, his PH colleagues urged him to accept post as Kedah menteri besar
MANY people may not be aware that Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir actually proposed another leader as Kedah menteri besar after the 14th General Election (GE14) on May 9.
This was because he was keen to serve at the federal level, after Pakatan Harapan did the unthinkable by defeating Barisan Nasional (BN) in the general election.
The two other candidates are Gurun assemblyman Datuk Johari Abdul and Anak Bukit assemblyman Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah.
“I was really hoping for a move to the federal level.
“I had not even served a term as menteri besar and that was the reason I decided to contest two seats (Jitra state and Jerlun parliamentary seats).
“However, for some reason, I was requested to remain in Kedah. So I accepted the offer,” Mukhriz said in an interview recently.
Upon getting the mandate to form the state government from the palace, Mukhriz, through Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), suggested that Amiruddin, who is Kubang Pasu member of parliament, be appointed as menteri besar.
Amiruddin, a former senior exco member in the then Pas state government, had joined Bersatu before the last election.
Johari, who is Sungai Petani MP, was proposed by PKR.
Mukhriz said although he was keen to serve at the federal level, his colleagues in Pakatan Harapan (PH) urged him to continue as menteri besar due to the uncertainties that followed as PH and the opposition each had 18 of 36 state seats.
The GE14 results saw PH, contesting under the PKR logo, winning 18 seats, Pas 15 and BN three.
“It was deadlocked at 18-18. Due to the uncertainties in the house, my colleagues in PH urged me to remain as menteri besar, thus eliminating my chances of moving to the federal level,” Mukhriz said with a smile.
He recounted his feelings when he was sworn in for a second term within five years.
He said he was not vengeful after being removed from the (federal) post as he “understood well the heavy responsibilities shouldered by anyone appointed to the menteri besar post.
“I see it as an opportunity to accomplish all the plans that I was not able to fulfil before.
“Many people told me that this is an old Kedah habit. Tun Daim Zainuddin was twice finance minister. The late (Sultan of Kedah) Sultan Abdul Halim Badlishah was Yang di-Pertuan Agong twice.
“My father, Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), is prime minister for the second time.
“So holding the post of menteri besar for the second time is not a surprise at all.”