KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 21): Social media users have joined the "Mukhriz" conversation trending on Twitter, decrying the move by some politicians to oust Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, with many blaming the prime minister for the latest scandal.

One Twitter user, using the handle @KhairilAnuar, likened Datuk Seri Najib Razak to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar with his tweet: "pergh Mukhriz bakal digulingkan kat Kedah. aku terpaksa admit, Najib mmg handal tewaskan musuh2 dia. sebiji macam Pablo Escobar."

(Mukhriz set to be ousted in Kedah. I have to admit, Najib is really clever in defeating his enemies, very much like Pablo Escobar.)

Another user, Jebart @danialjebart_, implied that the move to expel the son of Malaysia's longest serving prime minister was orchestrated by corrupt politicians.

In a series of tweets, Jebart posted: "The BN Kedah's member who are against Mukhriz Mahathir are all involved in fraud. Want me to list the organisation? Easy. YaPeim, TH & FGV.

"Dear BN, u will make a big mistake if u overthrow Mukhriz Mahathir. Kedah will fall to opposition again. Sincerely, Kedahan & Malaysian."

Fourteen Umno division chiefs, assemblymen and MPs had held a press conference yesterday, urging the party leadership to remove Mukhriz as menteri besar.

Another Twitter user, Rosman Nizar @RosmanPositivo, said: "I rarely talk politics but I really think this Mukhriz issue is absurd and smells fishy... I like fish & all but not this one."

Elsewhere, Wafaa @wafaaasri, pledged support for the Kedah MB: "This is so annoying. Kedahan love Mukhriz so why would you fired him as our MB. This is not right. Kedahan vote BN for Mukhriz not for BN."

Hafiz Noor Shams, using the handle @__earth, said the proper way was to go back to the state assembly and not allow certain characters to make the decision regarding who should be menteri besar of Kedah.

"For Kedah, do the right thing and go to the DUN. Let the people's representatives decide instead of shadowy men in the backroom".

Others such as Effi Saharudin, however, saw the move as inevitable.

Using the Twitter handle @1Obefiend, Effi posted: "Mukhriz is weak. Last party election he was meek. Najib knows this. Now the army of house Razak will move north and destroy Mahathirfell."