In a strongly-worded warning, the Coalition of Umno Branch Chiefs Malaysia (GKCM) explained that if Mukhriz was replaced, it was confident efforts to ensure victory for the ruling coalition in the 14th General Election would be negated.

“Don’t make Umno members stop voting for Umno in the next election.

“We demand that Najib’s position as the president be reviewed to ensure he will not be a liability to the party,” the statement, published on Din Turtle’s blog, read.

The coalition had earlier expressed disappointment with attempts to replace the former deputy minister as Kedah MB.

They also reminded Umno that Najib had promised to appoint Mukhriz as the MB, which then led to Barisan Nasional winning in Kedah.

Last Wednesday, 14 out of 15 Kedah division chiefs, led by Ahmad Bashah, had called on Prime Minister Najib Razak to strip Mukhriz of his positions as Menteri Besar and state Umno chief, citing loss of confidence in the latter’s leadership of the state.

Mukhriz had stated that he would not vacate his position as he was mandated by the people of Kedah to be their leader.