The new Menteri Besar of Kedah, Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, vows to win two-thirds of the seats in the 14th general election to be held in two years' time.

Ahmad Bashah, who is also State Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson, said he was confident the target was achievable if all machinery in the Barisan Nasional (BN) and state Umno worked hard.

“We must work hard to get the seats, meet the people and give explanations, not just sit around," he said in a ‘Mesra Jiran Perdana dan Menyemai Kasih Sayang’ programme in Alor Setar today.

Currently, 21 seats were held by BN, PAS (eight), Parti Amanah Negara (one), DAP (two) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (four).

In the meantime, he said although he was now menteri besar, he wanted the people and voters specifically in his Bakar Bata state seat to continue their cordial relations with him.

He said the post was not an obstacle that separates the people from him, saying he was still the Ahmad Bashah of old.

“I don’t want them to shy away from meeting me and shake my hand. I don’t want voters to have this feeling because I know the sincerity of their support and love for me,” he said.

Commenting on the new executive council lineup, Ahmad Bashah, who would begin his official duty at Wisma Darulaman tomorrow, said he did unofficially inform Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of the matter.

However, he said an official discussion on the matter could only be carried out after the Chinese New Year Holiday as he had to discuss with the state secretary first.

“As the state secretary has gone on holiday until the end of the Chinese New Year, I have yet to get a chance to discuss anything with him.

“After we have the executive councils’ list, we will meet the sultan of Kedah and Council of Regency,” he said.

- Bernama