ALOR STAR: Former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah is willing to step down as the Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman following Barisan Nasional’s (BN) defeat in the state.
Describing the 14th General Election (GE14) results as devastating, Bashah said he would have a discussion with the state Umno leadership on his position.
"I am willing to step down for new leaders to carry on with the duty to lead the state Umno in the next couple of days.
"I will consult the Umno Alor Star leadership and the state Umno leadership on this matter.
"If there is a wish for me to relinquish my post, I will do so to make way for younger leaders to lead Kedah Umno," he told reporters at the Umno 72nd anniversary celebration here.
In the GE14 on Wednesday, BN lost Kedah to Pakatan Harapan after only winning three out of the 36 state seats.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Bashah said Kedah Umno accepts former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak decision to step down from his position as Umno president and BN chairman.
"I am also saddened by his decision but he did it as he felt responsible for BN’s lost in this general election to make way for new leadership to take over.
"We respect his decision with heavy hearts and sheer sadness," he said.
Bashah also urged Umno members to keep calm and to give their utmost support to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who has been appointed as the acting president.
He added that the three BN assemblymen in Kedah would cooperate with the 15 Pas assemblymen in the state legislative assembly to form the opposition block.