Hishammuddin: Mukhriz’s responsibility to ensure no split in Kedah Umno

It is Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir’s responsibility to ensure that the state Umno is not split, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said Monday.

“That is for him to handle, as that is his responsibility as Mentri Besar to make sure that Kedah Umno is not split.

“If Kedah is split, then it is a reflection on his leadership of the state. We all have our own responsibilities,” the Umno vice-president told reporters here.

It was reported that Mukhriz had come under fire for failing to categorically state his support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s leadership, which has been criticised by Mukhriz’s father and former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

Bukit Lada assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Lebai Sudin said Mukhriz might as well resign from his post if he could not openly state his support for the Prime Minister.

Hishammuddin also denied that the party was splitting due to the onslaught of criticism from Dr Mahathir.

“No, I don’t think so, far from it. If the party is already split, then who is going to make sure that the country is not split. You see what is happening in the Middle East, are you telling me that our situation is worst than that?” he said when asked about whether there was a split in Umno due to the criticism from Dr Mahathir.

“Basically, the leadership in the party is still able to make sure that in the end of the day, good sense will prevail,” he said.