Shahbudin: Regency Council meeting lawmakers ‘good’ for Mukhriz

The Council it appears, favours Mukhriz Mahathir continuing as Kedah Menteri Besar for now.

KUALA LUMPUR: A political analyst does not rule out Barisan Nasional (BN) Assemblymen in Kedah doing an about turn on Monday and pledging their renewed support for Mukhriz Mahathir as Menteri Besar. “The interest of the people of Kedah must come first, before all other considerations.”

“The lawmakers may be persuaded and convinced that it would be in the interest of the people and Kedah as a whole that they continue to support Mukhriz as the Menteri Besar.”

Shahbudin Husin, the analyst, reckons that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s meeting with the Regent of Kedah last Friday to propose a replacement for Mukhriz, as Menteri Besar, may have been an exercise in futility. “The meeting was seen as a failure.”

“Clearly, Najib’s meeting with Umno Kedah leaders at the party headquarters last week, his second meeting with Kedah Assemblymen and the press conference hosted by Ahmad Bashah were all a waste of time.”

No significance was being attached to them, said Shahbudin. “The Council, it appears, favours Mukhriz continuing as Menteri Besar for now.”

The question that arises, added the analyst, was whether all the Assemblymen who signed statutory declarations (SDs) against Mukhriz would maintain their reported stand or start “wavering” when the Council speaks with them on Monday to gauge their individual stands. “The Council can meet with the 21 BN Assemblymen individually, as well as with them as a Group.”

The analyst was commenting on reports that the Council has asked to meet with BN Assemblymen on Monday. “This shows that no decision has been taken as yet on Mukhriz’s position as Menteri Besar.”

“The Council is not convinced that Mukhriz no longer has the support of the BN Assemblymen.”

The meeting of the Council with the BN Assemblymen, ventured Shahbudin, would be the right forum to decide once and for all the legal position taken by them on Mukhriz. “The Menteri Besar would also be called by the Council but he would meet alone with them.”

“If questions are being asked on why the Council wants to meet with all 21 BN Assemblymen, there are good reasons.”

It seems that their SDs no longer suffice or was not convincing enough or may have been prepared under duress, said the analyst. “SDs must be voluntary.”