Ahmad Said again in the centre of controversy

Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is once again in the centre of a controversy after he moved a vote of no confidence against Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman at the State Assembly sitting Tuesday.

The Kijal assemblyman's action shocked both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition assemblymen because they did not expect the action could be taken when taking part in the debate session on the address of the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

If Ahmad Said's action yesterday is reflected on, the former Menteri Besar had several times been in the limelight during the forming of the new Terengganu state government in 2008 leading rise to a political crisis in the state.

After the 2008 general election, the federal government which at that time was headed by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi submitted the reappointment of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh for the second term as Menteri Besar but did not get the consent of the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at that time.

On March 23, 2008, the office of the Sultan of Terengganu announced the appointment of Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar.

He was reappointed to the post when Terengganu BN formed the state government after winning 17 of the 32 State Assembly seats contested in the 13th general election (GE13).

After serving for only one year, on May 12, 2014, Ahmad Said stepped down as Menteri Besar to make way for Ahmad Razif, the assemblyman for Seberang Takir.

The speculation going around at that time was that Ahmad Said had agreed to become Menteri Besar for one year after GE13.

Ahmad Razif's appointment prompted Ahmad Said declaring leaving UMNO and becoming an independent for the Kijal state seat on May 13, 2014. His action was followed by the assemblymen from Ajil and Bukit Besi, namely Ghazali Taib and Roslee Daud.

However, Roslee returned to UMNO on May 13, followed by Ahmad Said and Ghazali on May 14, 2014.

Based on current developments, there is talk among political observers that Ahmad Said is still keen to head the state government.

Meanwhile, after he created the furore, Ahmad said, who was among the earliest to leave the hall, told reporters he was still an UMNO member and would not leave the party unless he was sacked, stressing that he would use another way in relation to his motion.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Backbenchers Club and also State UMNO Liaison Committee Information Chief Wan Abdul Hakim Wan Mokhtar said full support would be given to Ahmad Razif.

"It is quite weird when we have a BN State Assemblyman cooperating with the opposition for a vote of no confidence. This might be a connection from the federal level such as the action of (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad).

"Regardless, we will support the current Menteri Besar all out. The Liaison committee will meet to take disciplinary action against Ahmad," he said.

When met by reporters, Ahmad Razif said: "No comment..no comment... Let the Legal Adviser and Speaker make the subsequent decisions."

Ahmad Said, 63, who is a political science graduate of Universiti Sains Malaysia, ventured into politics as early as 1975 and at 19 he was appointed the UMNO Telok Kalong, Kemaman branch vice-chief.

He held the post until 1978 until he was elected Kijal assemblyman in 1990.