Kedah PAS eyeing MB post

Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

ALOR SETAR: Kedah PAS is confident that the coveted mentri besar post is theirs for the taking following a shift in political power at the federal level.

Its state deputy commissioner 1 Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said they were now waiting for instructions from their party’s central leadership on the next course of action.

He added that PAS was maintaining a “cool” approach in dealing with the situation as the party wanted a smooth transition of power.

The Jeneri assemblyman, who is also the state Opposition leader, said PAS preferred to take over the state administration in a gentlemanly manner.

“We don’t want to be embroiled in the already messy political situation right now. The people are fed up.

“Although we are now in a strong position in the state, we prefer to take things politely.

“Kedah politics is not like in other states.

“We practise ‘politik adik-beradik’ (brotherly politics), and we don’t shout or call names in our state assembly, unlike others, ” said Sanusi, who is rumoured to be among the frontrunners for the MB post following the political realignment in Putrajaya.

Out of the 36 seats, PAS has 15, PKR with seven, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia with six, Amanah with four, and two each for DAP and Umno.

All it takes for the new coalition to take shape is for at least two Bersatu assemblymen to team up with PAS (15) and Umno (two) to command 19 seats with a simple two-seat majority.

Although Bersatu, PAS and Umno are now coalition partners at the federal level, Bersatu is now split between its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir is the Mentri Besar.

It remains to be seen whether the five Bersatu elected representatives would defect although Mukhriz had earlier announced his state government now comprises elected representatives from Bersatu, PKR, DAP and Amanah on Thursday.

When contacted, Bersatu’s Ayer Hangat assemblyman Johari Bulat said they had pledged their allegiance to Mukhriz to remain as Mentri Besar.

“Whatever decision by the party’s central leadership, Mukhriz should be retained.

“We want him to remain, ” he said briefly.

Johari, who is also Kedah Deputy Speaker, said an exco meeting would be held tomorrow to discuss the latest political developments in Kedah.