Mahfuz: Don't drag Agong into 'plot' to remove Kedah MB

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Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar today warned Umno against dragging Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah into its attempts to oust Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mahfuz, who cited concerns over alleged involvements of “hidden hands” from Putrajaya, noted that there seem to be little success five days since Kedah Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah had called a press conference to announce the move against Mukhriz.

“This plot against Mukhriz was due to harsh and stinging criticism by (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad - Mukhriz’s father - against Najib.

“It (the plot) can be likened to the Malay proverb ‘pukul anak sindir menantu’ (one slap for Mukhriz is also a kick for Dr Mahathir),” said Mahfuz in a statement.

The PAS lawmaker also noted that mainstream media reports on the issue had presented a picture as if the resignation calls initially came from the rakyat, indirectly pressuring the sultan to give consent to remove Mukhriz from his position.

“This is a despicable move to drag the sultan into Umno and Kedah Umno's internal politics.

“This move was done in hope so that they (Umno leaders) can wash their hands off (the plot) and the rakyat will no longer question Najib or the Kedah Umno leadership, since it was purportedly the sultan’s decree to remove Mukhriz,” he claimed.

Mahfuz also reiterated his warning for Najib and Kedah Umno leaders not to drag the Kedah sultan in their attempts to supposedly purge Umno from anti-Najib dissidents.

On Thursday, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had reportedly said that no action will be taken against 14 Kedah Umno division leaders present during the press conference in Alor Setar.

Tengku Adnan's statement came hours after a group of Umno grassroots leaders, who were slapped with a six-year suspension after calling for Najib’s resignation, urged the party to take similar action towards those rebelling against Mukhriz.

Ahmad Bashah had last week led the move to oust Mukhriz - who in turn remained defiant - stressing that he was elected to the post by virtue of the rakyat's mandate and the state sultan's consent.



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