PKR broke ranks with its Pakatan Harapan allies by supporting Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah menteri besar in a move to sabotage Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's plot against Umno dissidents and break the party from within.

This was according to PKR’s Batu Arang state assemblyperson Simon Ooi, who explained the reason he and two of his colleagues supported Mukhriz as MB.

"Our stand is crystal clear; we wanted the status quo so we supported Mukhriz to stay," he said.

Mukhriz was ousted due to the internal fight between Najib and his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Mukhriz's comments on the 1MDB scandal and goods and services tax (GST), he said.

"Some said we should not have meddled into Umno's internal matter. I think we should look at the situation from a bigger picture - how to integrate a bigger force to fight Umno's hegemony and divide Umno from inside," he said.

By this, a two-coalition system and a change in state government can be realised, he said.

"Remaining neutral is tantamount to supporting Najib as this would lead to his coup faction having their way," he added.

It was reported that Amanah and DAP remained neutral when asked by the Kedah Council of Regency.

Teaming up to topple BN

Ooi, however claimed that there was no way for the opposition to have a decisive say on the MB candidate as it has only 15 out of 36 state seats in Kedah.

He also pointed out several scenario if Mukhriz had not resigned on Tuesday.

"Then Najib will expel Mukhriz, he would force his faction to close ranks and moot a no confidence vote against Mukhriz at the state assembly.

"If Mukhriz continues to stay as MB, he would have to rely on the opposition's support; Umno will break apart ultimately," he said.

Mukhriz resigned following a two-week political turmoil in Kedah which started when Kedah Umno deputy chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah openly called for him to step down .

Twenty-one BN and 15 opposition assemblypersons, out of the 36-member state legislative assembly, expressed their views to the Kedah Regency Council on Monday and Tuesday.

Ahmad Bashah was sworn in as the new menteri besar on Wednesday.

"We can see Kedahans support and sympathise with Mukhriz. Some harbour anti-Najib sentiment while some deem Mukhriz as a victim.

"To topple BN from power, we should gather the support of these fence-sitters and Umno members who were not happy with Najib," said Ooi.