Embattled Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir should emulate Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who remains "cool" in the face of criticism, according to a pro-Umno portal.

"Learn how to be cool from Najib, who is often criticised by Mukhriz's father (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and his supporters, as well as by the opposition," MyKMU.net said in a posting today.

"Perhaps it is this cool demeanour that allows Mukhriz to continue enjoying the cushy MB seat, although the call for his removal has been reverberating for a long time," it added.

Pointing out that Mukhriz is still menteri besar, the portal advised him not to get emotional.

In politics, it said, anyone is entitled to make an open statement calling for a politician to step down, provided this is done within the accepted boundaries.

"Even the Umno president (Najib) cannot escape criticism and such calls. In fact, it is far greater (for Najib), and repeated with 'half cooked' issues and slander to topple him," it added.

MyKMU.net was responding to the special press conference held yesterday, at which Kedah Umno number two Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipha claimed the state Umno has lost confidence in Mukhriz's leadership.

'They're entitled to state their stand'

Bashah also urged Najib to intervene and replace the menteri besar.

The portal said those who made the call are entitled to state their stand by pressing the Umno president to submit a new name for the post of menteri besar to the palace.

The president, it added, can only suggest a name, and it is the palace that decides on whether to accept or reject.

In another article published in the pro-Najib portal, Mukhriz was told to relinquish his post in a respectable manner and ease his suffering.

MyKMU.net claimed that the palace and civil service have known Mukhriz's alleged habit of shuttling between Kuala Lumpur and Kedah several times a week.

"Some even claim that he spends the night in Kuala Lumpur and flies to Kedah every morning, using either Firefly or the private jets of his friends.

"This is because his family is in Kuala Lumpur," the portal said, adding that being a menteri besar required a high-level of commitment.

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