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Mukhriz: Minister’s post offered if I resigned as MB
Published:  Feb 14, 2016 1:00 PM
Updated: 5:55 AM

Former Umno Kedah chief Mukhriz Mahathir has revealed that he had rejected an offer to return to Putrajaya as a federal minister in exchange for his post as Kedah menteri besar.

Sinar Harian quoted Mukhriz as saying that the offer was made sometime early last month, prior to the political crisis that had forced his resignation.

"The prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) had promised to appoint me as deputy minister and offered me a full minister’s post after a few months if I had agreed to resign as menteri besar at the time.

“I rejected (the offer) in the interest of the party because I wanted to ensure that the rakyat will still support BN in the 14th general election,” Mukhriz reportedly said during a programme with Yayasan Prihatin in Jerlun yesterday.

Mukhriz also said that he decided to continue speaking up for the people for to accept the offer would be akin to sacrificing his own dignity.

“I know the (central) leaders wanted to replace me for certain reasons but I chose not to betray the trust from the rakyat of Kedah.

“If I had accepted (the offer), it would be as if I have ‘sold off’ my own dignity. I don’t have the heart to do that,” he was quoted as saying.

Mukhriz was replaced as Kedah menteri besar by the then-Kedah Umno vice-chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who later was also promoted as the state liaison chief.

“I was not (formally) informed that I had been dropped as Kedah Umno chief, that is how things are done now. I only knew through WhatsApp , from a statement on the new appointment, but without stating that I have been dropped,” he said.

‘Najib angered by 1MDB criticisms’

Mukhriz, meanwhile, also stressed that the move to oust him had nothing to do with his alleged failure to lead the state BN machinery.

Instead, he reiterated that the unhappiness had started since December last year, over criticisms he made on state investment arm 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation scandal during a programme at Saloma Bistro in Kuala Lumpur.

“That is among the reasons why I was removed. Criticisms on 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion funds. These are worrying issues because it involves integrity of our leaders,” he said.

In the seven-minute-52-seconds footage of what appears to be a ceramah session posted on the Mukhriz Mahathir FC (Fan Club) Facebook Page last Tuesday, Mukhriz had said he was personally rebuked by Najib for his remarks on the two issues.

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