i will not give in, says Terengganu MB
Ahmad Said: If I quit, Ahmad Razif will have to go
KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman is not giving in to pressure to step down despite the political turbulence in his state government.
The beleaguered leader declared that he was staying put and downplayed any prospect of a hung assembly occurring when the state assembly convenes on Monday.
Ahmad Razif, who has been under attack by his disgruntled predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, insisted that “all is well with the Umno family” in Terengganu and said that there would not be a snap state election.
“The political scenario in the state is stable although there are certain quarters who enjoy creating problems before each state assembly sitting,” he said after chairing a state exco meeting.
All nine state exco members attended the meeting, including Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib who had called a press conference on Tuesday to criticise the Mentri Besar and to defend Ahmad Said.
Ahmad Razif, in a move to dampen speculation that there would be another motion of no-confidence against him, said the state assembly Speaker had not been notified of such a motion, which calls for a 14-day notice.
The Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong confirmed he had not received notice of any such motion.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Mentri Besar said the issue of a snap election was discussed at a closed-door meeting two days ago.
The meeting agreed that the best way to resolve the dilemma was to dissolve the state assembly and hold fresh polls.
“The problem lies with a few assemblymen and not the majority. We agreed that if push comes to shove, the MB will not step down but will seek an audience with the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly. Everyone in Umno is ready for snap polls and the decider will be during the sitting on Aug 8,” said the source.
Barisan Nasional won narrowly in Terengganu in the last general election, securing 17 seats against 14 by PAS and one by PKR. A year later, Ahmad Razif replaced Ahmad Said as Mentri Besar. The latter took it badly and has tried unsuccessfully to bring down the state government.
Ahmad Said, who is Kijal assemblyman, has taken to stepping up the pressure every time the state assembly meets.
His fiery speech at an Umno function in Kemaman on Saturday was seen as a signal that he would be stirring things up at Monday’s sitting.
Ahmad Said told The Star in a telephone interview yesterday that Ahmad Razif should be thankful that he was still the Mentri Besar.
“Imagine if I quit the party now. Within 24 hours, he will not be the MB anymore. Does he realise this? I have been watching and keeping quiet for the last two years. Now everyone can see what’s happening and what he is up to,” he said.
He also watered down claims that Barisan would win if there was a snap election and rubbished claims that Ahmad Razif enjoyed the support of the PAS assemblymen.
“Do you think PAS will want to waste their opportunity and wait. You think PAS is stupid? The Opposition already has 15 seats; all they need is two more and they can take full advantage of the situation and the infighting.”
However, he declined to say if there was another move to table a motion of no-confidence against Ahmad Razif.
Ahmad Said tried but failed to move a motion of no-confidence against the Mentri Besar during the March sitting.
Ghazali, when met after the state exco meeting, said he had not done anything wrong in criticising the Mentri Besar.
“I love the party and the state. I don’t think what I said was wrong. We want things to go on smoothly for the sake of the party and the people. All I can say is that if you are afraid of the waves, do not live by the beach,” he said.
On whether any action will be taken against Ghazali, Ahmad Razif said he did not see the need but would leave it to the higher leadership in Umno.