Mukhriz Mahathir today accused former prime minister Najib Razak as being the puppet master in stripping him of the Kedah menteri besar post.
Speaking to reporters after announcing his resignation this morning, Mukhriz said the instruction to overthrow the Pakatan Harapan-Bersatu state government came from Najib.
“The instruction to remove me came from Bersatu president (Muhyiddin Yassin), through Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainuddin.
“However, the real protagonist is the same person as before – Najib Razak.
“He has done this so he can escape his court trials on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and SRC International scandals,” Mukhriz said in Alor Setar.
“Just look at Riza Aziz’s case. It may be a sign that others from Umno like Najib, his wife Rosmah Mansor and (Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi will face the same fate, let’s wait and see,” he added.
In an immediate reaction, Najib asked why Mukhriz blames him for losing the state government.
He asked Mukhriz to show proof, if any.
“Since the start of the movement control order, I have been homebound, with my Facebook, playing with my cat and eating ‘super rings’.
“Does he have any evidence to show my involvement? Produce them.
“He is willing to lie during this Ramadan,” Najib said in a Facebook post today.
Meanwhile, Mukhriz expressed disappointment in PAS for their involvement in his downfall and Kedah’s political crisis.
Mukhriz said PAS has failed to consider his effort in complying with the Islamic party’s demands for extra financial support from his administration.
Their request was for the Kedah Pakatan Harapan government to not treat them as merely the opposition, Mukhriz said.
“They (PAS and Umno) asked for additional funds for their service centres.
“For the record, the Kedah Harapan government was among the first states to provide allocation for the opposition.”
Mukhriz said he had personally recommended they be given additional funds which were then approved by the state executive council.
“It is clear that they never considered our consideration for the party to receive additional allocation from the state government.
“They failed to consider this when they entertained the intentions of several assemblypersons (from the ruling party’s side) to jump ship to be with them,” he said.
Mukhriz was referring to six elected representatives from PKR (two) and Bersatu (four) who turned coat to pledge support for Perikatan Nasional and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
Mukhriz said he had earlier decided to maintain a relationship with Kedah Harapan, so that the government can continue to function.
At the time, the PAS leadership had assured him that they will not pressure Harapan assemblypersons to switch sides, agreeing to allow Mukhriz to continue to be MB until his term ends in 2023.
Mukhriz said he supports his father’s – former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad – stand to reject Umno’s kleptocracy government.
He rejected PAS’ invitation to join Muafakat Nasional and continue to rule as Kedah MB as they were still working with Umno.
“It is better for me to be an opposition than join a political group which is tainted by scandals internationally.
“I am also not about to betray the people’s mandate who gave Harapan the chance to rule Kedah in the 2018 national polls.
“I would rather die standing than live on bended knees,” said a defiant Mukhriz.
To the six who have now pledged support for the PN federal administration, Mukhriz offered a brief message: “No forgiveness for you.”
The Jitra assemblyman said he and the 12 assemblymen from PH would continue to serve the state in the opposition bloc until the 15th General Election.