He’s still MB

Terengganu leadership crisis resolved, AHMAD RAZIF STAYS, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman ( pix) will remain as t he Terengganu mentri besar. Announcing this yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said Ahmad Razif would continue to helm the state leadership and continue with his duties as normal.

“I already had an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, last Saturday over the matter.

“The matter has been put to rest. Ahmad Razif will remain as the MB. With this, everyone must accept that the leadership crisis in Terengganu has been resolved,” he said.

Rumours of a possible change in the state leadership flooded the social media since Sultan Mizan revoked the “Datuk Seri” title bestowed on Ahmad Razif effective April 22.

Ahmad Razif, who assumed office in May 2014, was prior to this, faced with a motion of no confidence initiated by his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said in the state legislative assembly. The motion, however, was rejected by the state speaker.

Speaking to reporters after opening the national level Worker’s Day Celebration at Putra World Trade Centre here, Najib, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, said he hoped this announcement would end all speculation on the status of the Terengganu MB.

“Let us now focus on ensuring the Terengganu state administration runs smoothly to ensure proper development and wellbeing of the people,” he added.

Najib, however, remained tight-lipped when asked for further details on his audience with the sultan, stating that it was a “private, four-eyed meeting”.

He also said the decision by Sultan Mizan to strip Ahmad Razif of his state title was the ruler’s prerogative as accorded by the Federal Constitution.

“It is the right of the sultan. I do not want to touch on that,” he said.

“But this (the audience) means that the sultan and I have reached an agreement on the matter and the mentri besar can continue to hold his office,” he added.

He also said Ahmad Razif had been briefed

on details of the meeting with the sultan.

Earlier, the premier urged Malaysian workers to improve their productivity if they wanted to enjoy better incomes.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Razif thanked Sultan Mizan for his consent in allowing him to continue to discharge his duty as the head of the state’s administration, Bernama reports.

“Syukur. What happened has its wisdom and lesson,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

“I thank the prime minister for having faith in me and the commitment given by him in solving the issue which hit the state since last week.

“All the speculation was today answered by the prime minister.”