 On 21 June 2013 Mukhriz attempted to charge Penang for the use of water from a river located in Penang state, on the basis that the source of the water was in Kedah.In return the Chief Minister for Penang, Lim Guan Eng, requested the Kedah government to pay rent for the land which the river occupies in Penang state.In January 2016, UMNO Kedah leaders, led by Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, declare the loss of confidence towards Mukhriz due to "his inability to maintain a united party leadership".