He did not state whether Mukhriz would be replaced in the near future but only confirmed that he had a good meeting with the Kedah Council of Regency and would announce any new developments soon.

“I notified the Supreme Council that I had met with the Kedah Council of Regency and that I had given them the suggestion (of possible replacements) on behalf of Umno and we will announce further developments (on the matter),” he told a press conference at the Umno headquarters here today.

Najib also denied reports that the Council had rejected the names of three candidates proposed to replace Mukhriz as Menteri Besar.

“There was no rejection, the process went on well,” he said.

Earlier today, it was reported that three Umno assemblymen, namely Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid, Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail and Azmi Che Husin were tipped to replace the embattled Mukhriz.

This morning Najib was seen leaving the Istana Darul Aman after an hour long meeting with the Council.

The meeting fuelled speculation that Mukhriz’s tenure as MB would be cut short after several Kedah Umno division chiefs had made public their loss of confidence in the former’s leadership.

Kedah Umno deputy Chairman Ahmad Bashah Md Hanifah had last week, demanded for Mukhriz’s removal, claiming the latter had failed to administer the state government effectively, unite Kedah Umno as well as plan for the 14th General Election.