I refer to the news report that the Kedah State Executive Council (EXCO) held its weekly meeting on 27 January 2016. The meeting was chaired by Menteri Besar (MB) Mukhriz Mahathir and was attended by three other EXCO members. (Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/mukhriz-holds-kedah-exco-meeting-with-only-3-present)
According to the Laws of the Constitution of the State of Kedah (Undang-undang Tubuh Negeri Kedah – Kedah state constitution), Article 41, the quorum for an EXCO meeting is “four besides the member presiding”. In the case where the quorum is not met, “no business except that of adjournment shall be transacted”.
As such, it is clear that the latest Kedah EXCO meeting did not meet its quorum.
Earlier, the media also reported that 19 out of 21 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen in Kedah have signed statutory declarations (SD) to support the removal of Mukhriz as MB. (Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/nineteen-kedah-bn-reps-renounce-support-for-mukhriz-report-claims)
Although the two MCA state assemblymen later denied signing any SD, one of them who is an EXCO member, was reported to be absent from the said weekly EXCO meeting.
Minimum four EXCO members needed to compose the State Executive Council
According to the Kedah state constitution, Article 37 (2) (b), the composition of the state EXCO shall be “not more than ten nor less than four other members [except the MB] from among the members of the Legislative Assembly.” (words in parentheses mine)
If the attendance to the EXCO meeting is any indication, then Mukhriz only has three EXCO members on his side, one member short of the minimum composition of the EXCO. As such, without a cabinet reshuffling, Kedah risks not having a legitimate EXCO.
UMNO internal squabble will harm Kedah with state government being paralysed
This latest development demonstrates the severity of the MB crisis in Kedah. With the EXCO paralysed, the Executive arm of the state cannot function at all. In other words, there is no more governance in Kedah.
This creates a dangerous situation for Kedah.
Kedah and the rest of Malaysia are bracing for a difficult year ahead. Many authorities have expressed serious concern over the job market with a federal minister admitting that regular retrenchment will go on until 2017. The rising cost of living, the reduced government revenue from the falling oil price, reduced government spending and new consumption tax all factor into mega economic challenges for regular Malaysians.
In the midst of all these challenges, all UMNO cares about is power struggle.The party’s internal squabble will definitely harm Kedah.
Both Mukhriz and UMNO president Prime Minister Najib Razak must quickly resolve this impasse to enable situation to return to normal.