I Joined Politics Not To Create Mahathir Dynasty - Mukhriz

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir Thursday said his involvement in national politics was not to create a family dynasty although his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was prime minister for 22 years, but because he himself was interested in politics.

In fact, he said, he was prevented from joining politics by his father while the latter was still prime minister and Umno president.

"If he (Dr Mahathir) had really wanted to create a dynasty, he could have much earlier got my elder brother (Mokhzani) and I into politics and government administration when he was prime minister and party president.

"I admit that my 'bin' (son of) attracts attention. It also props me up to a certain image as he (Dr Mahathir) was a national leader for a long time and he still has a lot of support today.

"I am happy to continue with his struggles for the party and country but I have my own ideas," Mukhriz said at a press conference after announcing his intention to contest an Umno vice-president post in the party elections this October.

He made the announcement at a function held at the Menteri Besar's official residence Seri Mentaloon, here, to introduce the candidates from Kedah contesting for party posts at the central level.

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman, said there were now Umno delegates and ordinary people who had started judging his capability in administering the state and thinking of strategies for the party's survival.

Mukhriz said he would also be filling the nomination form to contest the Jerlun Umno division post in the party divisional election after the incumbent Datuk Abu Hasan Sarif made way for him to do so.

"Datuk Abu Hasan has informed that I actually would not be contesting for the post but that he would hand it over to me. We (Kedah Umno) totally believe in unity because of unity, we won back the state.

"In some of our "kawasan" (constituencies), I must admit there were some disunity before but just before the general election, we managed to consolidate and bring together all the different interests and showed a united front, and it worked," he said.