GE13: Mukhriz sworn in as Kedah MB

ALOR SETAR: Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has been sworn in as the 10th Kedah Mentri Besar.

Mukhriz, 49, took the oath of office at Istana Anak Bukit here yesterday in front of Kedah Council of Regency chairman Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah and council members Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim.

Also present were his parents, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, as well as his wife Datin Norzieta Zakaria and the newly-elected representatives from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

Mukhriz, who is Kedah Barisan deputy chairman and Ayer Hitam assemblyman, took over from Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak of PAS after Barisan regained Kedah by winning 21 of the 36 state seats.

It is the second time that the son of a former prime minister was made a mentri besar in the country, after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib, who is the son of second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak, was appointed Pahang mentri besar from 1982 until 1986.

Set to take charge: Mukhriz being sworn in before Tunku Annuar at Istana Anak Bukit in Alor Setar. —Bernama

After the oath-taking ceremony, Mukhriz said he was prepared and willing to take the responsibility to lead the state government.

“However, I need some time, maybe until May 15, to decide on who will be appointed to the state executive council,” he said, adding that he needed to evaluate the capability and experience of the Barisan elect- ed representatives to know who was suitable,