Crisis in Terengganu 'almost settled', says new MB

The leadership crisis in Terengganu is set to be resolved with all leaders who resigned from UMNO expected to return to its fold, said Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman today.

The newly minted MB said that the crisis, which he stressed was not as bad as portrayed, is now 'almost settled' after today.

“I am confident. In one or two days, we will retain our 17 state seats again,” Ahmad Rafiz told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office here.

Ahmad Rafiz had met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak together will 14 Barisan Nasional reps from Terengganu, including the state assembly Speaker this afternoon.

'Ahmad regretted his decision'

Najib had apparently told the delegation from the state that former Terengganu MB, Ahmad Said, had informed him through phone that he regretted his decision to leave the party, and signs are positive he would return.

Ahmad Said is expected to retract his resignation together with Ajil rep Ghazali Taib.

The third 'defector', Bukit Besi state assemblyman Roslee Daud, who was also in the meeting today, told reporters that he was initially shocked and disappointed by Ahmad Said's sudden replacement.

However, Roslee said he has now changed his mind after renewing his belief in the party. "Today all is settled. Insya Allah I will continue to be with UMNO to uphold race, religion and country," Roslee told reporters.

New MB: Najib gave us clarity and explanation

Razif said that they were given a full clarification over the sudden replacement of the MB during the meeting with Najib, together with the deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor on Monday.

The BN lawmakers from Terengganu, together with their new menteri besar Ahmad Razif arrived earlier this morning to settle the political ‘crisis’ that beset the state since early this week.

On Monday, Ahmad Rafiz took over the helm of the state from Ahmad Said, who resigned to make way for his successor.

However, Ahmad Said, who is Kijal state assemblyman quit UMNO and declared himself an independent state assemblyman. Ghazali and Roslee had later followed suit.

Their move created a situation where BN became a minority government with only 14 reps compared to Pakatan’s 15, with question as to the whether there would be a power shift.

PAS had urged for an emergency meeting to push for a no confidence vote against the new MB but BN insisted that the state remained theirs to administer.

Ahmad Said’s move, he claimed, was due to his unhappiness over not being given more time to be MB.

However, UMNO leaders have noted that Ahmad Said, more popularly known as Mad Said, had already agreed to resign after one year as he was blamed for BN’s weakest performance in the state in recent years.