“It’s a clear downgrade. I don’t think Bashah will be able to carry the aspirations of the younger generation due to his qualifications and credibility,” he said when contacted.

Khoo pointed out that other assemblymen in Kedah had better qualifications. For example, Guar Chempedak assemblyman Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail had a PhD in Polymer Science and Technology from the University of Loughborough, United Kingdom.

Recent rumours circulating in WhatsApp have alleged that Ahmad Bashah only possessed a Sijil Rendah Pelajaran (SRP).

“At the end of the day, if you are choosing a person who wants to remain loyal to Prime Minister Najib Razak, I think it is more important to choose a person who’s able to earn respect.

“What message is the Umno top leadership trying to send to people?” he questioned.

Khoo warned that the ousting of Mukhriz Mahathir from his Menteri Besar post might come with a price, with a lot of dissatisfaction from the grassroots.

“What’s more important is that the next general election will be about the dissatisfaction and unhappiness by grassroots members.”

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) political analyst Dr Sivamurugan Pandian also said Ahmad Bashar would also face an uphill task filling in the Menteri Besar position.

“He (Ahmad Bashah) has to show leadership to the party and the government. At the same time, he has to avoid internal bickering with Mukhriz’s supporters.”

Sivamurugan added that Kedah’s new leadership must recognise Mukhriz’s contributions and allow him to play an active role in the party and state government.

He conceded that the new appointment would result in factions within Umno, which he described as unavoidable.

“There may be open and silent protests. The challenge for the new leadership is to make sure that this does not prolong and they must unite the party.”