Mukhriz: Kedah's PH govt should not be seen as a minority govt

ALOR STAR: Kedah's new Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir does not think that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government should be seen as a minority government.
He said the state can be administered effectively, especially with the present 18 PH backbenchers, including perhaps an appointed state legislative speaker.
"I admit it is a divided government but the state has a solid block and the people are behind us," Mukhriz said at a press conference today.
"I have to admit we have a slight majority only, but I think its quite alright as long as we get the mandate from the top leadership of the alliance. Taking into consideration that the coalition that formed the state government here is the same one ruling the federal government, I think it is in the best interest of Kedah," he added.
In his first press conference after being sworn in as the 13th Kedah Mentri Besar, Mukhriz, 53, began by saying "I'm back", much to the delight of PH supporters who had packed the meeting room.
Mukhriz, who won the Jitra state seat and the Jerlun parliamentary seat in GE14, said the state government he led now will begin to implement all the promises of the ruling coalition once the new state executive council line-up is announced.
He said what is important now is to make sure the manifesto is fulfilled.
Mukhriz's appointment as the new MB ended the wait among Kedahans on the formation of the state government as no party had won a simple majority on Wednesday.
Pakatan won 18 out of the 36 seats in the state the assembly, while Barisan Nasional which had been in power won only three and PAS secured 15 seats.
On the speculation that Umno's Sungai Tiang assemblyman Datuk Soraya Yaacob and Bandar Baharu assemblyman Datuk Nor Sabrina Mohd Noor could pledge their allegiance to Pakatan, Mukhriz stated that they are more than welcome to do that.
Soraya and Sabrina were former state exco members during Mukhriz's rule as Kedah Mentri Besar before he was ousted in 2016.