'I will fight, work for the people' - Ahmad Razif

"I will fight! I will fight to achieve more success, more good for the people," pledged Terengganu Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman at the state assembly sitting here today.

"I will fight and work hard, so that Terengganu is respected by friends and foes alike. I will fight and work hard so that we can eradicate any form of corruption and fraud. Even if (it means) I die, I will die fighting," he said in response to former menteri besar and Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said's move of tabling a motion of no-confidence against him (Ahmad Razif) yesterday, which was rejected by the Speaker.

Abdul Razif said ever since he headed the state, he always considered three former menteris besar, namely Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Ahmad Said, as his role models.

"I called for a ceremony to salute them and to show my respect for them as well as their contributions but it was unfortunate that the Kijal assemblyman could not attend.

"I want the people to know that I have carried on with the good work and groundwork they have laid for the development of Terengganu. Who am I compared to them? I am just a school teacher," he said.

Ahmad Razif said he hoped the three former MBs would help him and the state government to develop Terengganu, while expressing his disbelief over claims that he was involved in a conspiracy to discredit Ahmad Said's contributions during his tenure as MB.

He said if there were praises for him (Ahmad Razif) during his tenure as MB, it was for the good purposes initiated by Barisan Nasional previously.

For example, the East Coast Highway 2 was completed when I became MB but the initial works had begun during Wan Mokhtar's time (as MB). The same goes for the stadium, ITC Kemaman, SM IMTIAZ, and various other projects which were either abandoned or left idle.

"I continued (the work) and completed themt. I do not discredit anyone's contributions, but I finish what has not been completed yet, and add value.

He said a teacher's attribute was always to concur and accept but if one was continously pushed and insulted, it would leave no choice but to retaliate, ending the speech again with the words: "I will fight!", which received a thunderous applause from state leaders.