PH forms govt in Kedah, Mukhriz back as MB

ALOR STAR: Just like his father, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir also created his own history when he was appointed as the 13th Mentri Besar of Kedah today, after Pakatan Harapan (PH) under his leadership in the state, succeeded in forming the state government.
Mukhriz, 53, took the oath of office as the Mentri Besar for the second time before Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah of Kedah in a ceremony steeped in tradition at Balairung Seri Kecil, Istana Anak Bukit here.
Gracing the historic occasion were the Sultanah of Kedah, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff and Raja Muda Kedah, Datuk Tengku Sarafuddin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
Also present were Tunku Bendahara Kedah, Tan Sri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah, Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Tunku Laksamana Kedah, Datuk Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin.
Mukhriz, who had been state Umno chief before, was first appointed MB of Kedah in May 2013 after the Barisan Nasional (BN) wrested the state from the ruling opposition Pakatan Rakyat pact in the 13th General Election.
However, Mukhriz, had to step down as as mentri besar of Kedah in February 2016 when he lost the confidence of the majority of the assemblymen.
He then joined his father and several other Umno leaders who were sacked from the party in forming Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and was subsequently appointed deputy president of PPBM.
Mukhriz's appointment as the new MB ended the wait of Kedahans on the formation of the state government, as no parties had won a simple majority on Wednesday.
PH won 18 out of the 36 seats in the state the assembly while BN, which was in power won only three. Another party, PAS, secured 15 seats.
Mukhriz won the Jerlun parliamentary seat and Jitra state seat.
Mukhriz's wife Tok Puan Norzieta Zakaria and other state PH leaders were in attendance. — Bernama