Kedah Menteri Besar may be facing a crisis of no-confidence in his state but thousands turned up at the stadium in Alor Star this evening to show solidarity with him.

They had earlier packed the stadium compound waiting for Mukhriz to arrive, carrying banners urging him to remain as MB and chanting solidarity slogans.

Supporter M Ruslin Abdullah said: "We are not here only to watch football but also to support Mukhriz".

"If Muhkriz is removed, we will be very angry,” he added.

When Mukhriz arrived at 8.30pm, the fans swamped his car with rousing shouts of "Mukhriz! Mukhriz!"

The Jerlun assemblyperson then stepped out of his car to loud cheers and shook hands with the supporters.

His arrival was then greeted with a red flare and he was accompanied to the VIP seating by Jitra assemblyperson Aminuddin Omar and PAS Pokok Sena MP cum state party commissioner Mahfuz Omar.

He was there to attend a friendly match between the Kedah Football Association team and the Sungai Ara FA team from Penang.

'No problems here'

During half-time, Mukhriz estimated the crowd to be at 20,000. "It is not always that I can speak to a crowd of 20,000," he noted.

"No matter what happens, no matter how it will all end, the leader of Kedah must be someone of integrity and someone who will focus on the needs of the Kedah people," he told the crowd in a short speech.

Mukhriz reminded that he had urged the federal government to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) from six to three percent for Kedahans who are facing difficulties due to rising costs.

In concluding his speech to the crowd, Mukhriz requested them to switch on their handphone torchlight apps after which he led them in singing a religious song.

Earlier, Aminuddin expressed hope that Mukhriz would remain as MB as he was a 'person of integrity'.

"He has administered the state for only two years but he has done much for Kedah," said Aminuddin.

"We have no problems here. We hope everyone will support Mukhriz to remain as MB," he said.

Mukhriz is facing a crisis of no-confidence following Kedah Umno deputy chairperson Ahmad Bashah Mohd Hanapiah and 14 Umno division leaders calling for his removal on Jan 19.

The Kedah regency council met with 19 BN assemblypersons today after Prime Minister Najib Razak sought approval to remove Mukhriz.

The state regency council will meet the 15 state opposition assemblypersons tomorrow.