Terengganu Political Turmoil

Terengganu, Politics And Snap Elections
Terengganu in The Crisis Again...
The Terengganu State Seats: UMNO (15), Rebels (2), Pas (14). And PKR (1)

MB Confident of Smoth Assembly

Ahmad Razif 'not expecting too many problems and will pull through'

By Sharapal Singh Randhawa

KUALA TERENGGANU: Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman seems confident the state assembly meeting today will proceed without too many problems and he will pull through.

Ahmad Razif has been fighting off attempts to unseat him by his prede­cessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

He did not return calls from The Star yesterday but was calm when he gave his assurance in Putrajaya on Saturday that “the situation in Terengganu is stable and Insya Allah, there won’t be anything unu­sual in the state assembly”.

He told the media everything was “good and fine”.

When contacted, State assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong confirmed that he had not received any notice of a motion from Ahmad Said, who is Kijal assemblyman, for the one-day meeting.

A notice should be given 14 days before an assembly meeting.

Mohd Zubir said proper notice should be given for any motion and this was made clear at the last meet­ing in March when Ahmad Said tried to table an emergency motion, which was subsequently rejected.

The Speaker said it could have been different if Ahmad Said had submitted a notice in time this time around.

Currendy, there is only one motion concerning Malay Reserve Land on the agenda for today’s assembly, which may conclude by noon.

There are several scenarios of what could possibly happen today when the assembly convenes.

The first sees Ahmad Razif carry­ing on as Mentri Besar until the general election even as Ahmad Said continues to mount attacks against his state government.

The second could see Ahmad Said announce his resignation from the party and align himself with the Opposition bench.

This would reduce the Barisan Nasional seats from 17 to 16 and boosting the Opposition side from 15 to 16. The result would be a hung assembly in the 32-seat State Legislative Assembly.

A third scenario could involve Ajil assemblyman and state exco member Ghazali Taib throwing in his lot with Ahmad Said. If both of them resign from Umno and declare themselves independent assembly­men, they could also cause a hung assembly.

The second and third scenarios would mean that the ruling coali­tion will no longer hold the majority and the Mentri Besar will have to seek an audience with the Sultan with a view to dissolving the assem­bly and call for fresh polls.

The fourth and most likely sce­nario taking place today is that Ahmad Said will proceed to make a scene to embarrass the state gov­ernment and call for Ahmad Razif’s resignation.

In the last couple of days, Ahmad Said has softened his threats. He told The Star that he did not want to see a state election but only wanted Ahmad Razif to step down.

PAS, which has 14 seats in the state assembly, has made several statements urging Ahmad Said to quit Umno.

Without Ahmad Said’s resigna­tion, they said it was difficult to dis­cuss the future of the state.

PAS Youth said yesterday that they were monitoring the internal crisis closely and if there was a snap poll, PAS was ready to govern the state.
Adapted from The Star/Nation/Monday, 8 August 2016/pg6

‘Solves squabbles in Terengganu’

CRISIS: Internal strife will weaken BN's ability to govern, says Zahid

By Nik Imran Abdullah Bera

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Terengganu leadership to solve its squabbles to prevent Barisan Na- sional from losing the state in the next general election.

He said leaders in Terengganu should bear in mind that BN held only a one-seat majority in the state legislative assembly.

“Solve your problem. Even if you need to pick a fight, wait until after the election. There is only a one-seat advantage (for BN in Terengganu), but you still want to fight,” he said when opening the Bera Umno di­vision delegates’ meeting here yes­terday.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman has come under fire from some BN assemblymen aligned with his predecessor, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said. It is understood that the dis- +senters will table a motion of no confidence against Razif in the state assembly today.

Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, said internal bickering would weaken BN’s ability to govern

“Opposition parties are waiting to seize power from us if the problem persists.”

He said complacency in Umno could undermine the party’s ability to continue governing the country.

He said party members who had slipped into complacency were a major problem for Umno.

“They feel that the power the par­ty has will last forever ” He said Umno members would have to pay a heavy price if the party lost its political power.

“We should be leading the country at least until the country celebrates its 100th year of independence.”

Zahid said Umno members should learn from the disintegra­tion of western and colonial powers in the past as they, too, suffered from domestic problems.

He said these were lessons to be learnt by Umno members from the break-up of the Soviet Union and British Empire.

“These empires fell not only be­cause their colonies demanded in­dependence, but also because of in­ternal problems.

“Is there a guarantee that we (Um­no) can still lead the country in the future?”

In Kuala Selangor, Zahid, likening Umno members to fireflies which the district is famous for, urged them to come together and be a big­ger force.

He said Kuala Selangor Umno members should not be solo fire­flies, but must work together to wrest back Selangor.

“If there is only one firefly, the light can be seen only from a short distance. But when there are hun­dreds, thousands or millions of fire­flies together, the light can have a powerful impact.

“Kuala Selangor Umno and other divisions must come together so that we can win Selangor back,” he said at the Kuala Selangor Umno division delegates’ meeting yesterday.

Zahid advised those present not to be carried away with the landslide 9,191-vote majority win in the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election.

He said God had given BN victory, but it should not be taken for grant­ed, as defending the success in Sun­gai Besar would be harder.

BN, Zahid said, emerged victori­ous in Sungai Besar despite the pres­ence of a “91-year-old personality” during the by-election campaign pe­riod.

He did not name the person, but former prime minister Tun Dr Ma­hathir Mohamad, who is 91, was seen on the campaign trail in Sungai Besar.

“That person who hates us came to Sungai Besar repeatedly, not to help us, but to destroy us by telling the people not to vote for Umno and BN.

“We once respected the person as a statesman, but he is ungrateful to Umno. He is 91. That was why our win was 9,191, too.”

Kuala Terengganu - In view of the current political turmoil in Terengganu, Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman was moved to answer all related issues.

In a long press statement issued on Wednesday, Ahmad Razif said that the mother of all the problems were caused due to Barisan Nasional's loss of seats from 24 seats in the 12th general election to only 17 in the 13th general election.

"This is the reality that everyone needs to swallow and digest. This is the uncertainty and instability which has engulfed the state government.

"We are faced by numerous problems. We have people from in and out the party who are condemning us. We are being threatened, forced and influenced," he said.

Ahmad Razif added that he was no superman or possessed a magical lamp which can do miracles in a blink of an eye.

"And to my colleagues in the party who are not satisfied with me and my leadership, I understand and respect your stance but as a political person like you, too, I have the right to defend myself and to fight for what is right.

Ahmad Razif said the fact is that the Barisan government in Terengganu is struggling to shoulder the burden of what has been left by the former Mentri Besar.

"All of a sudden the former mentri besar behaves like he is trying to "rescue" the party. Instead of creating havoc it is best that he joins in and help to stabilise Umno in the state and make preparations for the 14th general election," he said.

With regards to the withdrawal of state titles, Ahmad Razif said it should not be an issue as it was the ultimate right of the Sultan.

He said, choosing a mentri besar is also the ultimate right of the Sultan in the state and the party president. The position of the mentri besar is not something that anyone can beg or ask for. 
"Therefore for those who are against it or are trying their best to oust the mentri besar are those who have no respect for the Royal Institution and the party president.

Read more...
In The News...

Ahmad Said backs out, walks out early

Monday, 8 August 2016 | MYT 1:03 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said who was expected to make a dramatic move at the state assembly sitting on Monday, was seen leaving the hall during the tea break at about 10.45am.

When asked about his next move, the former mentri besar said that nothing had been decided and  asked reporters to"wait and see".
"I don’t see any agenda. What can I do alone," he said…

PM: BN will handle political crisis in Terengganu so that people not ...

The Borneo Post-Aug 3, 2016

JAKARTA: The political crisis in Terengganu will be tackled in the best manner so that it will not burden the people in the state, said Datuk Seri ...

'Ahmad Said's failure cause of political turmoil in Terengganu'
Astro Awani-Aug 3, 2016

Terengganu Umno in the grip of a crisis – again
Free Malaysia Today-Aug 3, 2016

I am still with Umno, no intention to cooperate with PAS: Ahmad Said
The Sun Daily-Aug 5, 2016

Ahmad Said: Only a new MB can end Terengganu crisis
International-Malay Mail Online-Aug 3, 2016
Najib waiting for MB's report on unfolding political crisis

Opinion-The Star Online-Aug 3, 2016

‘All Want is For MB To Resign’

I'm not in favour of a state election, I just want him gone, says Ahmad Said

By Sharanpal Singh Randhawa and Rahimy Rahim

KUALA TERENGGANU: In a twist of events, Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said that he wasn’t in favour of a state election.

He said all he wanted was for Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, whom he alleged to have been a big letdown, to resign with immediate effect from his position.

“I am a cool man and had been patient for two years. But the things that are happening are too much. It has started to affect the people and innocent leaders."

“The damage has been done and Ahmad Razif has awakened the sleeping tiger. Now he has to go. I don’t want a state election but all I want is that he be replaced by others,” the former mentri besar told The Star yesterday.

Ahmad Said said that things would have been different if the Mentri Besar had at least sought his advice especially on appointments and sacking of Umno men in Kijal and Kemaman.

“The reason for the sacking was that those people who head certain government-linked companies were close to me. Why victimise them?” he asked.

Ahmad said the best thing for Ahmad Razif to do was to resign because if there was a state election, Barisan Nasional and Umno will not be able to form a government.

Meanwhile a street poll showed that majority of those polled were against a state election.

Nor Sakinah Mohd Kadir, 22, said there was no need for a snap election, saying that there had been too many mentris besar within a few years.

“This has dampened or put a stop to policies or even development projects. Before anything can be done, we hear the Mentri Besar will be changed or there were efforts to change the Mentri Besar,” said the Chemical Engineering (diploma) graduate.

A 35-year-old computer techni­cian from Dungun, Mohd Asmadi Khalid said it was not the right time for Umno and Barisan Nasional to walk into an election now for they might be defeated.

“What we need is for the politi­cians to solve this issue and not drag the people into it,” he said, adding that if there was a change of gov­ernment many contractors who relied on state projects would have to close shop.

Wong Pot Chuan, 31, a technician from Paka, said a state election would not solve any issue.

“Its best to let the current Mentri Besar finish his term and let the people decide in the next general election,” she said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Besi assembly­man Roslee Daud, believed to be an ally of Ahmad Said, said it was important to have a united front and harmony within the Terenggaanu state leadership.

He denied that he was working with Ahmad Said to topple Ahmad Razif as the Terengganu mentri besar.

“This is a lie and I have to deny this. It is my responsibility given by the rakyat to support the govern­ment and ensure that they are protected,” he said when met at the Hari Raya gathering for Anak Terengganu in Putrajaya yesterday.

He was seen sharing the stage with Ahmad Razif and other senior state leaders at the function.

At the last state assembly sitting, Ahmad Said tried but failed to table a no-confidence motion against Ahmad Razif.

Ahmad Said lost the confidence of the Umno leadership after Terengganu almost fell in fee 2013 general election.

When the Prime Minister replaced him in May 2014, Ahmad Said and two other assemblymen resigned from Umno and almost brought down the Barisan govern­ment.

But the trio, who included Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib and Roslee were persuaded to retract their resignations.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Sunday, 7 August 2016

Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai , Situation in Terengganu Manageable

By ROYCE TAN

Celebrating together: Liow serving up some festive cheer to children attending the Hari Raya open house in Pelangai.

KARAK: The political situation in Terengganu is Umno’s internal affairs and is manageable, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said.

“Put the interest of the people and the state government in the forefront and we can ensure a sta­ble government. I think the situa­tion is manageable. We are confi­dent it can be resolved.”

“It is Umno that will be able to handle this. If there is a hung assem­bly, it will not benefit the people and the state government will have to call for an early election.

“That will create a lot of chaotic situations which we think are unnecessary as the state and feder­al elections are usually held togeth­er,” he told reporters during the Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob’s Hari Raya open house in Pelangai here.

Liow hoped that the state govern­ment would continue to push for more transformation and projects for the people.

He said that Terengganu had made much progress under the Barisan Nasional leadership.

“There are many transformation projects carried out by the Federal Government and we need the state government’s support to work together for the benefit of the peo­ple,” said Liow.

The crisis in Terengganu came about after a flare-up of tensions between Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

Ahmad Said had blamed Ahmad Razif for Terengganu’s dismal per­

formance in the 2013 general elec­tion which saw Barisan Nasional winning only 17 seats against 14 by PAS and one by PKR.

This verbal exchange has added to speculation of a possible snap election in Terengganu.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Sunday, 7 August 2016

MB: Business as Usual Tomorrow

PUTRAJAYA: An embattled Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman believes it will be business “as usual” at the state assembly sitting tomorrow.

Saying that the Terengganu state government was stable, he assured the public that the feud within Umno, which he described as a “fight between siblings”, would be resolved before the sitting.

“There is no need to worry and Insya-Allah (God willing), every­thing will be resolved ... most importandy we must move forward together as we want to push the development agenda in the state,” he told reporters during a Hari Raya gathering for Anak Terengganu here, yesterday.

Ahmad Razif was asked to com­ment on the ongoing spat between him and Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said which had heated up ahead of the much-awaited sit­ting on Monday.

Watch the video tnestartv.com

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Sunday, 7 August 2016

Resolve leadership crisis for sake of the people, Umno told

BAGAN DATOH: The Umno leader­ship in Terengganu has been asked to solve its political crisis immedi­ately to prevent the people from being burdened by it.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the crisis could be resolved if all those involved have the political will to tackle the issue.

“This is not the first time, but it can be solved if there is a political will and seriousness among the members,” he told a press confer­ence after opening the Bagan Datoh Umno division meeting here yester­day.

The latest Terengganu leader­ship crisis has come about following a flare up of tensions between Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and his predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said over the last few days.

The crisis took a turn for the worse when Ahmad Said was joined by Ajil assemblyman Ghazaii Taib in an apparent rebellion.

In the last general election, Barisan Nasional formed the gov­ernment with a small majority after securing 17 state seats from Umno to defeat PAS (14) and PKR (one).

In DUNGUN, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also called on Ahmad Razif to convene a four-eye meeting with Ahmad Said to solve the crisis.

Khairy said a mentri besar should not be replaced or changed at a whim as it would disrupt the admin­istration and stability of the state government.

“This is not village politics. This is a state-level politics involving a state government,” he told report­ers after opening Umno Youth meetings for Terengganu divisions here yesterday.

Khairy said even if Ahmad Razif were to resign, the crisis would not end, as the mentri besar has his own supporters who may also want to seek retribution.

“There won’t be any ending to it. If you start playing musical chairs with the position of a mentri besar, then the issue will never end,” he added.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Sunday, 7 August 2016

Stirred And Shaken Again

By: Joceline Tan          

Day of reckoning: Zubir, as the state assembly Speaker, will be pivotal in how tomorrow's sitting turns out in the light of the stand-off between Ahmad Razif and Ahmad.

Wan Hakim: Worst case scenario involves dissolving assembly.

Hishamuddin: Touted as Amanah's potential Mentri Besar

Dr Azmi omar, Terengganu Political Expert: I keep hearing about 'secret weapons'. I think both sides have lined up their weapons to use against each.

DATUK Seri Ahmad Said is said to be quite amused at being described as the Terengganu version of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The way Ahmad has gone about trying to oust his successor in Terengganu has been all too similar to the way Dr Mahathir has been going after the Prime Minister.

Ahmad has pulled off one stunt after another to unseat Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, each one more outrageous than the last.

He wants Ahmad Razif to resign by hook or by crook. Every state assembly sitting has become a stage for him to threaten and humiliate Ahmad Razif and to push the state government to the edge of reason.

And that is why tomorrow’s state assembly sitting is crucial for the survival of Ahmad Razif’s administration.

Ahmad has been able to do all that because of Barisan Nasional’s flimsy hold on power in the state. Barisan has 17 seats against 14 by PAS and one by PKR.

All it needs is for one Barisan man to jump over to the other side or for two assemblymen to declare themselves as independent and it is game over for the Barisan government.

People have been punished by and sacked from Umno for less but Ahmad has been allowed to run wild.

Will tomorrow’s sitting be another drama- filled session? No one can quite predict what the former Mentri Besar will get up to.

During the March meeting, he caught everyone by surprise when he tried to move a motion of no-confidence against Ahmad Razif. He was foiled by Speaker Datuk Zubir Embong who swiftly adjourned the meeting for lunch and the attempted motion was eventually rejected.

The Ahmad Razif camp is much more prepared this time around or, rather, they are prepared for the worst.

“The MB is ready to dissolve the state assembly if he has to. We have explored all options and we’ve consulted the state legal adviser,” said Air Putih assemblyman Wan Hakim Wan Mokhtar.

The Mentri Besar is said to have met the Prime Minister to press his case to call for a snap election in Terengganu. Ahmad Razif told his inner circle that he has informed Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the most effective way out of the imbroglio is to dissolve the state assembly.

He argued that Ahmad would continue making trouble at every state assembly sitting, and he was worried about the budget meeting at the end of the year. The state administration would be badly affected if the state Budget could not be passed because of Ahmad’s politicking.

He told the Prime Minister that other assemblymen were pressuring him to reshuffle the state exco and drop those who support Ahmad.

However, the Prime Minister is believed to be non-committal because stand-alone state elections are costly and have long-term repercussions.

The Ahmad Razif camp is pushing for snap polls because their survey has shown that Umno would be able to retain the state.

Umno’s confidence is bolstered by the fact that a snap election would mean multi­cornered fights involving PAS and Amanah which could work in Umno’s favour.

“It will be a larger scale version of what happened in the by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar,” said a Kuala Terengganu-based businessman.

The survey showed that if there are multi-

cornered fights, the worst case scenario for Umno is 20 seats and the best case scenario could see Umno doing as well as 25 seats.

However, Umno in Terengganu is also famous for sabotage and seats have been lost when those not picked as candidates undermine the ones who are selected to contest.

The snap election will also test the strength of PAS and Amanah in this Malay heartland state and one Amanah state leader told the above businessman that the party has even identified Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, 38, as a possible Mentri Besar candidate.

Hishamuddin, an Al-Azhar graduate won the Tepoh state seat in 2013 under the PAS ticket but is known to be aligned to Amanah.

The real clash, in the event of a state election, will not be between Umno and PAS. It will be the ultimate test of survival for PAS and Amanah. The new party will have to pull its own weight against PAS because there will be no DAP or Chinese votes coming to Amanah’s aid.

“Our plan is to wait and see. We are not going to force a snap election but if it happens, we are prepared to face it,” said PAS election director Datuk Mustafa Ali.

However, Mohd Wahid Endut, the PAS assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam, said the PAS backbenchers are ready to back Ahmad in his moves against the Mentri Besar.

“Sometimes we shout at each other, sometimes we drink coffee together, that’s pohtics,” he said.

A snap election is definitely on the table but it is an option of last resort. Much will depend on what Ahmad will do next. Ahmad has been threatening his party, claiming he has documents that will damage Umno leaders.

But the Mentri Besar’s men have also been building a file on Ahmad and some of his alleged peccadilloes during his years as the Mentri Besar.

They call it their senjata or secret weapon which they intend to use against Ahmad. Some call it the “dirty secrets file” and it is said to contain information on alleged timber concession scandals and other alleged misconduct of a personal nature.

Posters criticising Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib, an ally and relative of Ahmad, have also sprung up in the last few days.

The posters have slammed Ghazali as, “YB Ajil dorrok cetong’, which is Terengganu dialect for “useless” and a “tin can”.

“I keep hearing about ‘secret weapons’. I think both sides have lined up their weapons to use against each other,” said Terengganu political expert Dr Azmi Omar.

On Wednesday, the last day of syawal, the Mentri Besar attended a Hari Raya gathering in Cukai, a state seat in the Kemaman parliamentary constituency.

Cukai is located next to Kijal where Ahmad is assemblyman but he was notably absent. Even the PAS assemblyman for Cukai, Hanafiah Mat, was there.

Accounts of the crowd turnout have ranged from about 5,000 to a staggering 15,000. The gathering was also a sort of show of force by the Ahmad Razif camp because a few days ago, Ahmad had held a gathering nearby where he made a blistering speech against the Mentri Besar.

Ahmad’s inability to accept being replaced as Mentri Besar is about to become the stuff of legends. He does not seem to understand that political positions are not personal to holder and that politicians come and go.

The Chinese have this saying that one rises because of opportunity and one should come down with wisdom. Ahmad was given the opportunity to go up but he does not know how to come down.

He feels that he was pushed down from the stage, he knows he cannot get back onto the stage and he wants to bring down the whole stage.

The saddest part of it all is his inability to accept responsibility for the fact that Barisan almost lost the state in 2013. The hot-headed Ahmad was not an exceptional Mentri Besar and he was not the worst either but he paled in comparison with his predecessor Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

He has blamed everyone but himself for almost losing the state to PAS and his actions will contribute to more problems for the coalition in the next general election.

There is speculation that Ahmad may resign from Umno to exacerbate the crisis but those in the know say he would not want to cut himself from the loop.

He wants to replace Ahmad Razif with someone who is aligned to him so that he will have an indirect say over state matters and more important over the selection of candidates for the next general election. It will also be his lifeline to contesting again in the general election.

But that is how logical people think and Ahmad has defied logic so far.

“Everyone will be watching what Ahmad gets up to this Monday but I think the Speaker will be the one who will have the biggest say on the course of events,” said Dr Azmi.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Sunday, 7 August 2016

Battle of Two ‘Ahmads’ Heats Up

Terengganu Mentri Besar dismisses predecessor's claims of electoral sabotage

By Sharanpal Singh Randhawa

KUALA TERENGGANU: The blame game between Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and Kijal assem­blyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is heating up ahead of the much-await­ed state assembly sitting on Monday.

Ahmad Razif yesterday rub­bished allegations of sabotage and staging a “coup” during the last general election to undermine Ahmad, who was then MB.

“It is ridiculous to accuse me of sabotage or staging a coup to oust the mentri besar with the limited

power I had then. Why would I do so?

“I was just a candidate at that time, and was concentrating on winning my own seat in Seberang Takir,” he said.

Ahmad Razif said Ahmad should just accept responsibility instead of trying to shift the blame onto oth­ers.

Ahmad, who has become a thorn in the side of Ahmad Razif’s admin­istration, had blamed the latter for Terengganu’s dismal performance in the 2013 general election which saw Barisan Nasional winning only 17 seats against 14 by PAS and one by PKR.

The verbal exchange between the two Ahmads has added to specula­tion of a possible snap election being called in Terengganu.

Ahmad had claimed that Ahmad Razif knew of a coup to oust him as mentri besar.

He also alleged that Ahmad Razif had met him to inform him of the coup after the general election and repeated his demand that the men­tri besar should resign.

Ahmad Razif, on his part, had riled his predecessor when he issued a statement suggesting that Ahmad was the reason for the “mother of all problems” that led to Barisan’s near-defeat in the state in

the general election.

Barisan won in 2008 with 28 out of 32 seats.

Ahmad Razif said he had no intention to resign and that Ahmad, who had threatened to quit and join the Opposition, can do whatever he wants.

“If his actions lead a state elec­tion, we are confident of pulling off a bigger win. Dissolving the state assembly is a last resort and I hope we do not have to do that,” he said.

He also reminded Ahmad of his oath of loyalty to Umno and Barisan, a pledge that all assemblymen had taken during a meeting in Putrajaya.

The MB also thanked PAS presi­dent Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who had stated that his party was not interested in forming a govern­ment “by the side door” or to accept someone who wanted to jump from another party.

PKR assemblyman for Bandar, Azan Ismail, said Ahmad Razif could either resign or seek an audi­ence with the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly.

Azan said important matters were being put on hold because of the political turmoil.

He said the state assembly was a place to discuss issues pertaining to the people and their welfare and “is not for a power struggle”.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Saturday, 6 August 2016

‘Infighting in Terengganu Could Cost UMNO Seats’

By Joceline Tan

KEMAMAN: Umno infighting in Terengganu could cause the party to lose seats in an election, warned Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Ahmad Shabery, who is also Kemaman MP, said there was no guarantee that Umno would be able to do well in the four state seats of Kijal, Kemasik, Air Putih and Cukai, located within the parliamentary constituency of Kemaman.

“We can try to do our best for the people and we do have a marvel­lous track record, but when the people see that there is infighting and a split between leaders in the party, they will start to lose faith and trust in the party they have been supporting.

“All they see is a party led by lead­ers who can’t sit together and can’t get along, and there goes their trust in the party,” he said yesterday in Kemaman after distributing aid worth RM40,000 to 21 fishermen whose homes were affected by a storm recently.

He was referring to the escalating conflict between former mentri

besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and his successor Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman that threatens to push the state towards a snap election.

Ahmad is also the Kemaman Umno division, chief and Kijal assemblyman.

‘Take the example of a family where there are constant argu­ments and fights between the par­ents. For the children, it is not about who is right or wrong; all they want is a happy family. But if the quarrel­ling persists, the children will not want to come home,” he said.

He said the infighting will leave the rakyat confused said UMNO may

start to lose its supporters as well as its members, especially the fence sitters.

“This is my sincere opinion and I am making a plea to the Mentri Besar and also the former mentri besar to stop the bickering and infighting, and to look for an amica­ble solution.

“Umno has done a lot for the peo­ple, including fishermen and farm­ers. But if this issue is not resolved, all our efforts will go down the drain,” he said.

“I believe the Mentri Besar has wisdom and will be able to solve the matter.” He added.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Saturday, 6 August 2016

All Set For Possible Snap polls

Terengganu MB confident of state Umno's victory if election is called

By Sharpanpal Singh Radhawa and Martin Carvalho

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Umno is all geared up for the possibility of snap polls being called, says Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

He added that he was confident that the party would be able to pull off a convincing win.

“But as we all know, an election incurs a lot of the taxpayers’ money, and we also know that the state is financially weak due to the global oil crisis.

“So, for the sake of the people, let’s all come to a decision by having a general election instead of holding a state election,” he said after launching the state-level National Cooperatives Day here yesterday.

Ahmad Razif was also convinced that the state assembly sitting scheduled on Monday would proceed smoothly.

On allegations that the state government had mortgaged the Bertam oil well, he said this was not true.

“I have many times said in the state assem­bly that the oil well was never ours in the first place. So how are we to mortgage something that was never ours.

“The Federal Government has said before that it will help the nearest state to the oil well. So, that’s what we are negotiating for, a 5% royalty from the Bertam oil well, located about three nautical miles off Terengganu waters,” he said.

He also rubbished claims that he had signed some documents to mortgage the oil well.

“I hope the people will be patient and wait for the outcome of the discussion. Give me time and have trust in me to complete the discussion,” he added.

The state government’s communication unit director Datuk Rosol Wahid said the best way to solve the political turmoil was for Ahmad Razif to seek an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu and call for a state elec­tion.

“Snap polls is the best way to solve the issue. It’s better for Ahmad Razif to seek an audience with the Sultan and dissolve the state assembly.

“Our main concern is not this state assem­bly sitting but the next one in December.

“The question is whether the state budget can be passed. If not, the (state) government will collapse,” he added.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Friday, 5 August 2016

PAS ready to take over Terengganu, says Tuan Ibrahim

PETALING JAYA: PAS is eager to rule Terengganu again and will back disgruntled Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said’s effort to oust beleaguered Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

The Islamist party will carry this move out either through a vote of no-confidence against Ahmad Razif or demand his resignation as mentri besar, said PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Meanwhile, Ahmad issued a fresh ultima­tum to Ahmad Razif late yesterday to resign.

He told The Star that he would join “the other side” and enable them to form the next government unless the mentri besar steps down.

However, he did not elaborate on his threat as to when he would make the dramatic move of resigning from Umno.

Earlier, in a telephone interview, Tuan Ibrahim said Ahmad should just leave Umno and allow PAS to take over.

“We are ready to form the new state gov­ernment,” he added.

But he slammed Ahmad for making threats.

“He shouldn’t just make noises about it. If Umno is going to sack him, then he should resign,” he said, adding that Ahmad’s ally, Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib, should also quit Umno.

PAS Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said there was no need for PAS to form a coalition government with Umno should Ahmad Razif be removed as mentri besar or if Ahmad resigned.

“If Ahmad resigns, he will become an inde­pendent state assemblyman and PAS will hold the majority,” he said.

Terengganu PAS commissioner Satiful Bahri Mamat also challenged Ahmad to resign.

“He has not taken any action to do it. Don’t make noise, just leave Umno,” he said.

Satiful, who is Paka assemblyman, said the question of inviting Ahmad or Ghazali to join PAS did not arise.

“Their resignation from Umno is sufficient for PAS to take over Terengganu,” he added.

Barisan Nasional currently holds 17 seats in the 32-seat state legislative assembly while PAS has 14 and PKR one.

If Ahmad Said and Ghazali go independent, Barisan will lose its majority. PAS ruled Terengganu for two terms from June 1959 to November 1961, and December 1999 to March 2004.

Wakaf Mempelam assemblyman Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut of PAS did not dismiss the possibility of Ahmad trying to move a motion of no-confidence despite not giving 14 days’ notice to Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.

“This time, if there is a motion of no-confi­dence and the Speaker rejects it, then we might propose a no-confidence vote against the Speaker instead,” he said.

Mohd Abdul Wahid said PAS would hold a meeting before the state assembly sitting on Monday to discuss the issues and also to convince PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to support the motion of no-con­fidence if it was tabled.

He said Abdul Hadi, who is Rhu Rendang assemblyman, might not want to take Terengganu “by the back door” as he wanted to do it through the general election which he believed could be just a year away.

“However, we will explain to the president that this motion is not from PAS but from the Umno camp.

“So why shouldn’t we take the opportuni­ty?” he added.

It is learnt that Abdul Hadi is in Turkey and will only return on Sunday.

In Kemaman, state Umno liaison informa­tion bureau chairman Wan Abdul Hakim Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar urged Ghazali to resign as state exco member, saying that Ghazali is a member of the state government.

“Why criticise the government under Ahmad Razif’s leadership as non-functioning when he himself is in the government?” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Friday, 5 August 2016

Terengganu May Have Snap Election.

The Terengganu State Seats: UMNO (15), Rebels (2), Pas (14). And PKR (1)

A political Crisis is brewing in the state again with former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said facing the sack from UMNO, Ahmad who nearly brought the state government down in 2014, has the support of exco man Ghazali Taib in his battle against current Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and UMNO could be reduced to a minority government if the rebellious duo leave.

By: Jocelin Tan and Sharanpal Singh Randhawa

Politics in Terengganu is full of revenge and we are plunged into a crisis again. - Dr Azmi Omar

Present and past: Ahmad Razif greeting former Terengganu Mentri Besar Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar, Ahmad during the state Umno Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Kuala Terengganu. — Bernama

TERENGGANU: Terengganu is being pushed to the brink again and this Monday’s state assembly sit­ting could decide whether the state may have to resort to a snap election.

The latest crisis has come about following a flare-up of tensions between Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and his antagonistic predecessor Datuk Seri Ahmad Said over the last few days.

The situation became “dangerous and fragile” when Ahmad was joined by Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib in an apparent rebellion.

The departure of the two from the Umno fold would result in a hung state assembly and Ahmad Razif is said to be mentally prepared for the possibility of dissolving the state assembly.

Ahmad went on a verbal rampage last Saturday, targeting Ahmad Razif and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Ahmad, who is Kijal assemblyman, gave a long and angry speech at an Umno function in Kemaman during which he dared the party to sack him, saying “they will see what I can do”.

His latest outburst is believed to be in reaction to Ahmad Razifs request to the Umno supreme council to sack the former mentri besar.

Ahmad Razif, when met by report­ers at a Hari Raya event yesterday, confirmed that Terengganu Umno had sent a report on Ahmad’s alleged wrongdoing to the supreme council as well as the Umno disciplinary board.

“The party has taken action against Umno deputy president and vice-president. I leave it to the party leadership to take disciplinary action based on our report. There should be no double standards,” Ahmad Razif said.

It is also learnt the Menrti Besar had also asked the supreme council to consider a snap state election to resolve the crisis once and for all.

“The MB is resigned to the situa­tion. If there is to be an election, he is ready and confident that Barisan will do better,” said a Terengganu Umno official.

This is not the first time Ahmad has tried to unseat his successor but this time, he seems to have Ghazali’s sup­port.

Ghazali - who is state Communi­cations and Multimedia, and Special Tasks Committee chairman - called a press conference yesterday to defend Ahmad and said there was no need to sack any assemblyman in Terengganu. He also criticised the state government and reminded Barisan that it was holding onto power with a two-seat majority.

Of the 32 state seats, Umno current­ly holds 17, PAS 14 and PKR one. There will be a hung assembly if Ahmad and Ghazali decide to declare themselves as independents.

“Politics in Terengganu is full of revenge and we are plunged into a crisis again. Everyone is nervous, it is hard to predict what will happen in the next few days,” said Terengganu political expert Dr Azmi Omar.

At the last state assembly sitting, Ahmad tried but failed to table a no-confidence motion against the Mentri Besar.

Ahmad lost the confidence of the Umno leadership after Terengganu almost fell in the 2013 general elec­tion. When the Prime Minister replaced him in May 2014, Ahmad and two other assemblymen resigned from Umno and almost brought down the Barisan government.

But the trio, who included Ghazali and Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud, were persuaded to retract their resignations.

Ahmad Razif also suffered a set­back a while ago when the Palace revoked his Datuk Seri title for rea­sons which remain unknown.

The Mentri Besar’s advantage is that PAS is not interested in taking in Ahmad or any of his friends. PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang has publicly said that PAS wants to come to power in Terengganu through an election and not via the side door.
Adapted from TheStar/Nation/Wednesday 3 August 2016