Mahfuz bashes Kedah Umno over timing of revolt

PETALING JAYA: Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar (pic) has slammed Kedah Umno for choosing the wrong time to announce that they had lost confidence in Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

The PAS lawmaker said the actions of the Umno leaders, MPs, and state assemblymen were rude and disrespectful as Kedah was in the midst of celebrating the birthday of its Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.

“I do not intend to deny them their right to do so. However, it is disrespectful and rude for them to take such an action at a time when Kedah is celebrating the 88th birthday of our Sultan, who is also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Their actions have disrupted and spoilt the festivities of the Sultan’s birthday celebrations and have changed the atmosphere from one of joy to anxiety among the rakyat over the state of political upheaval in Kedah,” Mahfuz said in a statement on Wednesday.

Kedah Umno liaison deputy chief Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah had led the state Umno earlier today in announcing that they had lost confidence in Mukhriz over a number of reasons.

The group, which included Baling MP Datuk Abdul Azeez Rahim and Jerai MP and Cabinet Minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, as well as Kubang Pasu MP Datuk Johari Baharom, had called on the Prime Minister to make an immediate change to the state’s leadership.

Mahfuz said the Umno leaders should have waited until the celebrations were over, as a show of respect to the Sultan.

He added that their actions showed that none of the present Umno assemblymen were qualified to become the next Mentri Besar.

“It is unfair to trigger the issue of no confidence when the Sultan’s birthday message had accepted the loyalty of Mukhriz as the MB representing the state government and the people. Umno’s actions are an insult to Tuanku Sultan.”