- Bernama
LANGKAWI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has arrived in Langkawi.
It was learnt that he landed at the Langkawi International Airport at 6.15pm Saturday.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir had welcomed Najib at the airport and the duo seemed to have a friendly chat before the latter entered his car.
Langkawi MP Datuk Nawawi Ahmad uploaded seven photos on Facebook of the Prime Minister's arrival at the airport.
Najib is expected to attend two events here, the welcoming of AirAsia's inaugural flight to Langkawi from Guangzhou on Sunday morning, followed by a luncheon with fishermen at the Chenang fishermen port.
Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has again expressed confidence that the political storm in Kedah would be resolved soon.
The Kedah Mentri Besar said his appointment was legitimate, and he hoped to stay on.
“We must abide by rules and regulations,” he said when addressing his supporters at the Langkawi Airport yesterday to welcome Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who was visiting the island.
A day earlier, a group of 54 Umno members, including division leaders, met Najib to seek the Umno president’s intervention in ousting Mukhriz.
It is, however, learnt that the group has yet to get the support from the majority of the Kedah assemblymen to push for a vote of no confidence.
Mukhriz said the internal problem in Umno would not affect the state administration and that he would remain focused on pursuing the state’s development agenda to benefit the people.
He later welcomed Najib, who was in the island to celebrate AirAsia’s inaugural Guangzhou-Langkawi flight, scheduled today.
Najib gave Mukhriz a firm handshake. He had earlier placed a hand on the Mentri Besar’s shoulder.
Otai Langkawi president Bayu Geez said it was good to see both of them smiling.
“We hope this is an indication that the crisis in the state can be resolved soon,” he said.
Hundreds of people had gathered at the airport to show support for the embattled Kedah Umno chief.
In Alor Setar, Kedah Umno deputy chief Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who was leading the attempted mutiny against Mukhriz, claimed that most state Umno leaders wanted Mukhriz out.
“We have lost confidence in him. We need a change to face the next general election,” he said, adding that the issue should not be allowed to fester.
Ahmad Bashah said it would not matter to him whether he would be chosen to take over as mentri besar or not.
“I will support whoever is appointed as the new mentri besar,” said the Bakar Bata assemblyman.
ALOR SETAR: Police are monitoring the situation in Kedah following the political crisis in the state to ensure no provocation takes place, said state police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya (pic).
He said the people of Kedah should remain calm and not act emotionally as the police were always monitoring the situation to ensure it was under control.
"It is their (the people involved in the political crisis) internal problem so let them solve it. But to ensure public peace and security in the state, police will continue to monitor (the situation)," he said at the Kedah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) here Saturday.
The political environment in the state rose several notches since several days ago after several state assemblymen, MPs and senior leaders openly stated their loss of confidence in the leadership of Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir as Menteri Besar and state Umno liaison chief.
Earlier, Zamri opened a Bicycle Cycling Programme which was participated by 100 people comprising police personnel and local residents who cycled from the Kedah IPK to Tasik Darulaman, Jitra.
"The programme, which is being held for the first time, is aimed at fostering ties between the police and society. We want to make society the friend of the police and together reduce the crime rate and create a safe atmosphere in Kedah," Zamri added. - Bernama
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