Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul today clarified that he has no personal intentions to replace Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir as Kedah Menteri Besar.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Johari claimed that his remark about vacating his parliament seat for PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim was misconstrued.

“The words ‘I can do wonders in Kedah with Anwar as prime minister’ has been misinterpreted,” said Johari, who is also Gurun assemblyperson.

Johari explained that he was referring to his experiences as an assemblyperson and MP, not in the capacity of Kedah menteri besar.

When pointed out that he had also expressed readiness to become the menteri besar, Johari insisted that he was merely responding to a question on whether he would choose to be a federal minister or Kedah menteri besar.

“I was asked which position I would choose if I was given the choice. So I said, if given the choice I would choose to be menteri besar.

“But the question (of having a choice) does not arise now. The focus should be on appointing Anwar as prime minister,” he stressed.

On Sunday night, Johari had reiterated his offer to vacate his Sungai Petani seat for Anwar, as part of plans to appoint the latter as Malaysia’s eighth prime minister.

Johari had also said he has ideas on how to improve the state, particularly through close cooperation with a prime minister appointed from Kedah.

"That is why I want Anwar to come to Sungai Petani, to become a prime minister from Kedah. Just imagine what I can do when this happens, I can do wonders,” he was quoted as saying.

This resulted in Kedah Bersatu deputy chief Anuar Abdul Hamid questioning if PKR is plotting to unseat Mukhriz (photo above) as menteri besar and take the position for one of its members.

In a statement earlier today, Johari reiterated that there should be no question about his personal plans to become menteri besar.

“Together with the Kedah Keadilan leadership, we pledge our full support for Mukhriz as menteri besar.

“I sincerely hope that there will be no attempts to try and pit me against Mukhriz,” he said.

Earlier this month, Johari said he was willing to offer Anwar his seat because "he is like a brother to me, I love him very much".

At the time, Anwar won the PKR presidency without contest, and will soon be replacing his wife and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has held the post since 1999, when PKR was formed.

Having been released from prison after receiving a total pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Anwar is planning to return to Parliament before he succeeds Mahathir as the country's eighth prime minister.

The move is based on an agreement between Anwar and Mahathir to join forces to topple BN prior to the 14th general election.