Kedah UMNO gives full support to Najib, Mukhriz

Today's special meeting also agreed that Mukhriz (pic) should not make a statement on the issue on April 24 in Kuala Lumpur.

ALOR SETAR: Kedah UMNO has pledged full to the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

Its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said this was agreed at a special meeting of Kedah UMNO Liaison here, today.

He said the special meeting also agreed that Mukhriz should not make a statement on the issue on April 24 in Kuala Lumpur.

"We have also agreed to cancel the Kedah UMNO Liaison meeting on April 24," he told a press conference after the special meeting at Seri Mentaloon, the menteri besar's official residence.

Mukhriz was not present in the meeting room during the press conference.

The special meeting which began at noon and ended two hours later was also attended by Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen in Kedah. It was chaired by Mukhriz, who is also Kedah UMNO Liaison chairman.

All UMNO division chiefs were present at the special meeting except Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling), Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom (Jerai) and Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom (Kubang Pasu).

The only BN state assemblyman missing from today's meeting was Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin (Bukit Lada).

Ahmad Bashah, who is also the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, said those who did not attend the special meeting were overseas and had sent representatives.

The meeting also agreed to respect the views of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wants him to give Najib the time to address the issues raised.

It also supported the prime minister's decision urging the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to conduct an audit of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

He said the question of Kedah UMNO unity did not arise as shown by the special meeting which fully supported the prime minister and the menteri besar.

Asked whether Kedah UMNO would take action against Ahmad Lebai for urging Mukhriz to quit if he failed to support Najib, he said it was up to UMNO headquarters.

Ahmad Bashah also said Ahmad Lebai's remark calling on Mukhriz to quit the menteri besar's post was a personal statement and did not represent any party.

- Source: Bernama