‘Adnan seen as best candidate for Pahang MB’
KUANTAN: Pahang Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob is seen as the most suitable candidate to be appointed menteri besar.
Adnan, 68, not only proved his capability in leading BN to victory in the 14th General Election (GE14), but he also enjoyed a good relationship with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Sources said the relationship between the two was important to ensure the state’s continuous and smooth develop- ment.
It was also Dr Mahathir who appointed Adnan as Pahang menteri besar to replace Tun Khalil Yaakob in 1999.
“The political landscape has changed as the Federal Government is administered by PH.
“It will be difficult if the menteri besar does not have a good relationship with Dr Mahathir.
“We are aware that Adnan has never spoken negatively about Dr Mahathir and expressed his appreciation to him for appointing him as menteri besar in 1999.
“It might be easy for him to deal with the Federal Government,” a source told the New Straits Time Press yesterday.
On Saturday, Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah postponed the menteri besar swearing-in ceremony at Istana Abu Bakar in Pekan.
The ruler said it was because he needed time to get to know all the elected representatives.
Adnan won the Pelangai state seat for the eighth term, and is expected to be reinstated as menteri besar for the fifth term.
He will be the longest serving menteri besar — 19 years.
In GE14, BN won 25 state seats to obtain a simple majority to form the state government, while PH and Pas each won nine and eight seats, respectively.
Sources said there were no issues about changing the state government from BN to PH or Pas due to the huge difference in the number of assemblymen.
“BN has 25 seats and if PH and Pas decide to join, they will only have 17 seats.
“There is no reports on BN elected representatives here switching camps.”
Besides Adnan, Lanchang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin, who is state Umno liaison committee deputy chairman, is another likely contender for the menteri besar post.