Some observations about the Terengganu drama

What was supposed to be a quick change of leadership in Terengganu has now blown into a full crisis for Barisan Nasional (BN), which could still lose the oil-rich state to their political foes unless all Umno assemblymen pledge loyalty to the state government.

Here are some observations of the last two days when Datuk Seri Ahmad Said's (pic) resignation letter as menteri besar snowballed into him and two other Umno state lawmakers quitting the party. One is said to have returned to the fold.

1) Najib is weak

Let's be honest. If Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was strong and if he was feared in his own party, Ahmad Said and the other state assemblymen would think many times before holding Umno/BN to ransom.

But as it stands today, he is viewed as weak by everyone, from the motormouths at Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) to royal households throughout the country.

They know that Najib is indecisive, unable to use the powers of incumbency to exert control and seemingly incapable of sparking a feel-good feeling about his administration across Malaysia.

The end result: even a small-time local politician named Ahmad Said can thumb his nose at Najib.

2) Remember the Perak power grab

If the roles were reversed, it would be reasonable to expect that some Umno bigwigs would be beating a path to the palace, claiming that Umno's representative should be installed as the new Menteri Besar and that BN be allowed to take control of the state assembly ala Perak.

You can bet that all legal precedents would have been thrown out as was the case in Perak and that Umno would be in charge by now.

By contrast, PAS and DAP are asking for fresh polls; seeking to go back to the people for a mandate.

3) Prima donna politicians

Is it a case of egos? Was Najib trying to show he has the testicular fortitude to stare down a menteri besar without even considering that Malay customs and social culture dictate some niceties?

And what about Ahmad Said? Was he so embarrassed to what was tantamount to a sacking days before hosting a wedding feast for his daughter that pushed him to bring a government down?

It would appear that Umno politicians believe they are bigger than the party, or the government or the people that they serve. It is all about their interests and agendas.

But between these two alpha males of sorts, who will back down now in the interest of the party? Or can Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin save the day for Umno?

If not, how much would it take to get the independents back to Umno?

4) Umno needs to out-crisis Pakatan?

Just as the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties were trying to paper over cracks caused by the hudud issue, Umno had to implode with the Terengganu crisis.

The pressure was on PR to head off an ideological split similar to the one that broke Barisan Alternatif in 2001 when PAS insisted on pushing for hudud laws despite protest from the DAP.

Just days after PAS relented to shelve the idea, Umno had to spark a crisis by removing Ahmad Said in what would appear to be unholy haste.

Was Umno's timing just bad or the leadership was clueless at Ahmad Said's resolve to keep the top state post? – May 14, 2014.

Terengganu crisis: Situation in similar to Perak in 2009, say law experts

The Star
by TAN YI LIANG

PETALING JAYA: The situation in the Terengganu state assembly – with three assemblymen leaving Umno and declaring themselves independents – is somewhat similar to that which took place in Perak in 2009, according to legal experts.

“This situation is somewhat reminiscent of the Perak crisis in 2009. However, therein arises the issue of whether the new Menteri Besar and the present state government enjoys or continues to enjoy the confidence and support of the majority of the State Assembly,” said Malaysian Bar Council president Christopher Leong.

He added that the current situation would be an issue for the state assembly.

“It is for the state assembly to determine, through a vote of confidence or no confidence. It is only after such a vote that the Sultan would be able to ascertain who enjoys the confidence of the state assembly,” said Leong.

He added that ordinarily, the Sultan would only resort to other means to determine this issue if the State Assembly was unable to take such a vote.

“In such an instance, the state constitution may also provide for a dissolution of the state assembly at the request of the Mentri Besar,” said Leong.

He added that is such a situation, any discretion or decision exercised must reflect the will of the people.

“If to do so requires a dissolution of the State Assembly, then it should be done,” said Leong.

The three Terengganu assemblymen who quit Umno to become independents are former menteri besar and Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and assemblymen Ghazali Taib (Ajil) and Roslee Daud (Bukit Besi).

In the Perak crisis in 2009, three Pakatan Rakyat representatives, Deputy Speaker Hee Yit Foong (DAP-Jelapang), senior state Executive Council member Jamaluddin Mohd. Radzi (PKR-Changkat Jering) and Osman Jailu (PKR-Behrang) quit their respective parties and became Barisan Nasional-friendly independents.

Similar views were shared by constitutional law expert Syahredzan Johan, however he said the Terengganu situation had not become like Perak yet.

“It has not come to a Perak situation yet, but it may come to that. We do not know how the three who left Umno are aligned,” said Syahredzan.

He said that a successful vote of no confidence does not require the independent assemblymen joining a Pakatan Rakyat party.

“They just have to state that they do not support the Mentri Besar,” said Syahredzan

He added that if the vote of no confidence is moved in the State Assembly and the Mentri Besar loses the vote, he only has two choices, one of them being to seek an audience with the Sultan to dissolve the State Assembly and call for fresh state elections.

“The other is to resign his position along with the other state executive councilors. If the second option is chosen, the Sultan has to choose a Menteri Besar who has the support of the majority of the State Assembly,” said Syahredzan.

He said that following the Federal Court decision following the Perak crisis, support for a Mentri Besar can be determined by methods outside the State Assembly, not necessarily a vote of no confidence.

“Also following that decision, if the Mentri Besar and executive council do not resign following the loss of support, their posts are deemed vacant,” said Syahredzan.

When contacted, constitutional lawyer Edmund Bon said that the 15 Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen and the independents now have the opportunity to table a vote of no confidence in the State Assembly to see whether the Mentri Besar commands the majority of support.

“And if the vote of no confidence is passed by the Pakatan assemblymen and the two independents, the Mentri Besar must tender his resignation before the Sultan,” said Bon.

He added that while the Sultan has a free hand, it must be subject to his assessment that the new Menteri Besar commands the confidence of the majority of the State Assembly.

“If the numbers are 15:15 and three, that means the BN government is the minority government. but the discretion to appoint the MB vests absolutely with the Sultan,” said Bon.

On Monday, Ahmad Said quit the party hours after he was replaced by Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman as Terengganu Mentri Besar.

The former Mentri Besar and Kijal assemblyman was soon joined by Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib to become independent representatives. On Tuesday morning, Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud quit Umno.

The latest developments leave Barisan Nasional with 14 state seats, one fewer than Pakatan Rakyat's 15 in the 32-seat assembly.

However, state legal advisor Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid has maintained that the state assembly Speaker was counted as a representative of the ruling state government, giving an equation of 15:15:3.

In the 13th General Election, Barisan won 17 state seats against Pakatan Rakyat's 15, and managed to win half of the eight Parliamentary seats in the state.

Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman was sworn in as the new Mentri Besar before Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah in Cendering here at 9.25pm on Monday.

Only 2 independents now, Bukit Besi rep has changed his mind, says Shahidan

One of the three Umno Terengganu assemblymen who quit the party to become an independent assemblyman has returned to Umno, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (pic).

The Umno Supreme Council member said tonight that Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud has retracted his decision to leave the party and sit in the Terengganu legislative assembly as an Independent representative.

He said with this, BN still holds 15 seats in the Terengganu state assembly to Pakatan's 15, with two independents completing the assembly.

"Umno's position now is we have 15 seats, PAS 14, PKR one, and two independents," he told The Malaysian Insider tonight.

Roslee had this morning issued a statement that he was following former menteri besar Ahmad Said and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib out of Umno to become independent representatives.

This was after Ahmad Said was replaced by Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, who was sworn in as the Terengganu menteri besar last night.

Their resignations left Razif with a minority government, as BN was reduced to 14 seats in the legislative assembly to Pakatan's 15, with the three new independents completing the state assembly.

Shahidan had earlier today urged Ahmad and the two other independents to come forward and discuss their problem with the party.

"Ahmad Said must be patient, I too have faced a similar situation when a third party did not wish for me to become menteri besar.

"Despite that, and the disappointment I felt, I did not leave the party," he said.

The ongoing political turmoil has forced deputy Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to meet with the former menteri besar this evening, according to sources.

The Terengganu crisis was triggered after Najib authorised Ahmad's resignation letter, which stipulated that he must step down a year after being reappointed the Terengganu MB, following the 13th general election last year.

The letter was to pacify Umno members who were not happy with Ahmad Said's leadership since he took over from Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as Terengganu MB in 2008.

In his place, Razif, the Seberang Takir state assemblyman, was appointed the new menteri besar last night.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was said to have made the decision to appoint Razif despite pleas from Ahmad Said to remain as MB for another week to allow for his child’s wedding on May 17 to be held at the MB's official residence in Kuala Terengganu.

Bukit Besi state rep withdraws Umno resignation

Bukit Besi assemblyperson Roslee Daud has withdrawn his resignation letter from Umno.

According to Bernama, the matter was announced by Terengganu executive councillor Mohd Jidin Shafee.

"(Roslee) is back to being a BN assemblyperson," Bernama reported tonight.

The news comes after Malaysiakini reported that Roslee was likely to retract his letter after heated talks among Terengganu Umno assemblyperson.

This means the state assembly is hung at 15 BN, 15 Pakatan Rakyat and two independents.

Mohd Jidin (left), who is also Permaisuri assemblyperson, said Roslee decided not to quit after he was advised by his Umno colleagues.

"Why he made the decision early this morning no longer needs to be explained. But what is important is that we in the party must be united," he told the national newswire.

Roslee was the third Umno assemblyperson to announce he had quit the party this morning, after Ajil assemblyperson Ghazali Taib and Kijal representative Ahmad Said.

This was after Ahmad was replaced as menteri besar with Seberang Takir assemblyperson Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman last night.

Sources told Malaysiakini that Umno is hopeful that Ahmad and Ghazali will change their minds as their resignation letters have not yet reached Umno secretary general Tengku Adnan Mansor.

Umno is also believed to be confident that it has contained a wave of defections, to retain BN's hold in Terengganu.

The state's Umno assemblypersons are expected to meet with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow afternoon.

The meeting is believed to allow them air grouses to Najib, who is also Umno president, and to regroup after what they see as an averted crisis.

‘Three scenarios can happen in T’ganu’

Lim Kit Siang says there is no other way to resolve the political impasse in Terengganu except to hold a fresh election.

KUALA LUMPUR: Three possible scenarios can happen from the Terengganu political crisis with no effective solution in two of them, DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang said today.

Lim said in the first scenario the new menteri besar, Ahmad Razif, conceding that he had lost the majority in the state assembly and the mandate given to him to form a new state government.

“Second, the possibility of Pakatan Rakyat forming the state government. Pakatan Rakyat now has 15 seats compared with Barisan Nasional’s 14.

“Third, is to have elections to decide the political future of the state. There is no solution in the first two and a state election is needed to resolve the impasse,” he added.

The standoff came after three Umno assemblymen from Terengganu, including former Menteri Besar Ahmad Said, declared themselves independents just a day after Razif was sworn in as menteri besar.

“With the resignation of Ahmad Said, Ghazali Taib and Roslee Daud, from Umno, there is no political party with a working majority,” said Lim.

The number of BN assemblymen had dropped from 17 to 14 and the opposition had 15 members in the state legislative assembly.

Azmi Sharom: Fresh polls the best solution for Terengganu

Although Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has a strong chance to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) led government in Terengganu as payback for the 2009 Perak political crisis, it would be hypocritical of them to do so, Universiti Malaya Law Faculty Associate Professor Dr Azmi Sharom said.

Speaking to fz.com, Azmi noted that the people of Terengganu voted for a BN state government and even though PR has a chance to take over the government without fresh state polls, they would be cheating the rakyat if they did so.

“The problem here is this: The people of Terengganu voted for an Umno government. They didn’t vote for a PR government but for an Umno government. If we say what happened in Perak was unjust, it is hypocritical of PR if they claim the majority government after what they said regarding Perak.

“If they do that, they will also be disrespecting the voters in Terengganu. The democratic thing to do is to have a fresh state election. I know it will cost a lot of money and might waste people’s time but it is the most democratic thing to do right now,” said Azmi.

The vocal UM lecturer, who is known for his sarcasm also took aim at former Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and his two cohorts.

“Plans were cancelled for a daughter’s wedding. How dare they shame him (Ahmad) before his daughter’s wedding and b***** h***, there must a state election!

“By Golly! It is such a tragedy that a man is removed from his post just before the daughter’s wedding reception! We must have a state election over this!” said Azmi, referring to reports that Ahmad had quit Umno because his request that his resignation take effect after his daughter’s wedding on May 17 went unheeded.

On a more serious note, Azmi agreed with other constitutional experts that for the time being, the Terengganu administration still remains in the hands of BN. He also agreed that a vote of no confidence is required before any change of government can be made.

“The next logical step is to hold a vote of no confidence at the State Assembly. Such a step is the best because of its transparency.

“Then the Sultan will decide who has the confidence of the House. This is a bit different from Perak because there wasn’t a vote of no confidence there in the first place. That was unlawful.

“In Perak there was no debate in the State Assembly and the Sultan just made his decision (privately). However, if there is a vote of no confidence and these three align themselves with PR, it will be clear that PR will have the majority of the house. These guys become kingmakers,” said Azmi.

One rep returns to Umno fold in Terengganu

By THE RAKYAT POST

State Assemblyman for Bukit Besi Roslee Daud is said to have withdrawn his resignation from 
Umno and returned as a Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representative.

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 13: One of the three Umno Terengganu assemblymen who quit the party to become an independent representative has “returned” to Umno, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

The Umno Supreme Council member said Barisan Nasional (BN) still holds 15 seats in the Terengganu state assembly to Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 15, with two independents completing the assembly.

Shahidan, however, did not mention which of the three assemblymen, who had earlier today announced they were leaving the party to become independents, had returned to the fold.

“Umno’s position now is we have 15 seats, PAS 14, PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) one, and two independents,” he told The Malaysian Insider tonight.

Though Shahidan refused to name the assemblyman, it is widely believed he is the Bukit Besi rep, Roslee Daud.

Roslee had this morning issued a statement that he was following former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib out of Umno to become independents.

This was after Ahmad Said was replaced by Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, who was sworn in as the Terengganu Menteri Besar last night.

Their resignations had left Ahmad Razif with a minority government, as BN was reduced to 14 seats in the legislative assembly to Pakatan’s 15 and the three new independents completing the state assembly.

Shahidan had earlier today urged Ahmad and the two other independents to come forward and discuss their problems with the party.

“Ahmad Said must be patient. I, too, have faced a similar situation when a third party did not wish for me to become Perlis Menteri Besar.

“Despite that, and the disappointment I felt, I did not leave the party,” he said.

The ongoing political turmoil has forced deputy Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to meet with the former Menteri Besar this evening, according to sources.

The Terengganu crisis was triggered after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak authorised Ahmad’s resignation letter, which stipulated that he must step down a year after being reappointed the Terengganu MB, following the 13th General Election last year.

The letter was to pacify Umno members who were not happy with Ahmad Said’s leadership after he took over from Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as Terengganu MB in 2008.

In his place, Razif, the Seberang Takir state assemblyman, was appointed the new Menteri Besar last night.

Najib was said to have made the decision to appoint Razif despite pleas from Ahmad Said to remain as MB for another week to allow for his child’s wedding on May 17 to be held first.

State police chief Datuk Jamshah Mustapa says dissemination of news from inaccurate sources could trigger chaos and threaten public order.

Police monitoring false news over social media

Meanwhile, police have warned the public against disseminating false news via the social media as this could lead to instigation and confusion over the political situation in Terengganu.

State police chief Datuk Jamshah Mustapa said dissemination of news from inaccurate sources could trigger chaos and threaten public order.

As such, he said, the police were now monitoring social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp, blogs and social websites for widespread inaccurate news from unknown sources.

“I urge all quarters to counter-check the news they receive with reliable sources first before passing them on.”

Jamshah said the police were now liaising with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to detect and tackle the dissemination of inaccurate news .

He said police would boost patrols in several strategic locations to prevent untoward incidents such as demonstrations.

“The situation in Terengganu is still under control and trouble-free. We urge political leaders to advise their supporters against carrying out processions which can trigger chaos.”

Will Liow advise Muhyiddin not to be “held to ransom” by the Terengganu trio who have resigned as UMNO Assemblymen, plunging the state into a constitutional crisis?

I could not have agreed more with the MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai who had advised UMNO Terengganu Assemblymen that they must “put people first, instead of their personal interests”.

It is very clear what Liow was trying to say when commenting on the former Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and two UMNO Assemblymen quitting the party to become independents after attending a Wesak celebration at Wisma Buddhist in Kuala Lumpur today.

Liow said: “The state government cannot be held at ransom. The purpose of us running for elections is to serve the people and we must ensure that the state government continues to do so.”

He hoped that the Barisan Nasional government would take immediate action to stabilise the situation in Terengganu.

The question is whether Liow would “walk the talk”.

Datuk Kadir Jasin, former editor of UMNO English-language newspaper, New Straits Times, said the Terengganu crisis caused by the three UMNO assemblymen-turned-independent could be solved if the “price is right”.

It is reported that UMNO deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is on his way to Terengganu to meet the Terengganu trio who have resigned from Umno ”to find a solution to the current political impasse in the state”.

Ahmad Said, who was supposed to hold a press conference today, has decided to put it off till after Muhyiddin’s meeting.
Has Liow conveyed the MCA’s dismay and opposition to the UMNO leadership being “held to ransom” by the Terengganu trio in the Terengganu State Assembly?

I do not believe there are any Malaysian who thinks that the MCA President would dare to communicate to Muhyhiddin or the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak the MCA opposition or reservation of UMNO leadership being “held to ransom” in having to deal with the Trengganu trio on what would be the “right price” to end the constitutional impasse in Terengganu.

Would Liow dare to say that MCA would oppose any “deal” which Muhyiddin might reach with the Terengganu trio which smacks of the Barisan Nasional being “held to ransom”?

This is because Liow and the MCA leadership are themselves easily “held to ransom” so as not to defend the founding principles of the Merdeka Constitution and the struggle of the early MCA Presidents like Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun Tan Siew Sin of Malaysia as a secular democratic nation with a constitution which is incompatible with hudud – all because of the carrot of three Ministers and five Deputy Ministers for MCA dangled by Najib.

MCA dared not contest in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election for MCA leaders know that the by-election would provide an excellent opportunity for the DAP to expose MCA perfidy and hypocrisy in agreeing to a fundamental change of the 57-year policy of Alliance/Barisan Nasional stand on hudud, from one of rejection of hudud to one of not rejecting hudud, without any whimper of objection from MCA!

If the MCA President and the MCA leaders can be so easily “held to ransom”, what credibility do they have to raise objections to the Terengganu trio holding the Barisan Nasional/UMNO leadership to “ransom”?

One way to cut through all these maze of political perfidy and hypocrisy and the restoration of political integrity is for the holding a new state general elections in Terengganu.

Let MCA openly call for the dissolution of the Terengganu State Assembly and the holding of the Terengganu state general elections to return the mandate to decide the future of the state to the Terengganu voters?

New Terengganu MB Begins Official Duties Tomorrow

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 13 (Bernama) -- Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman (picture) is expected to begin his official duties as Terengganu menteri besar Wednesday.

According to the state government's communications unit, he will enter his office on the sixth floor of Wisma Darul Iman at 7.45am.

Ahmad Razif, 49, who is also state science, technology and innovation, energy, green technology and water committee chairman, was appointed menteri besar to replace Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Monday.

He took his oath of office before the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah here at 9.18pm on Monday.

Ahmad Razif, the state assemblyman for Seberang Takir for the second term since 2008, holds a Master of Science in Guidance and Counselling from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

He has served as the Exco for Education, Higher Education, Science, Technology and Human Resource.

Previously, he was Terengganu Umno Information head.

Among the Terengganu menteris besar since 1959 were Mohd Daud bin Abdul Samad (1959-1960, PAS); Tan Sri Ibrahim Fikri Mohamad (1960-1970, Umno); Datuk Mahmood Sulaiman (1970-1971, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu); Datuk Nik Hassan Wan Abdul Rahman (1971-1974, Umno); Datuk Seri Amar Diraja Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad (1974-1999, Umno); Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Wang (1999-2004, Pas); Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (2004-2008, Umno); and, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said (2008-2014,Umno).

Terengganu menteri besar steps down, Najib names new MB

(TMI) – Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said has resigned, confirming speculation that his tenure would end one year after the May 5, 2013 general election.

Ahmad is believed to have entered into a one-year term agreement with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak after his reappointment as menteri besar last year. The time frame given was allegedly to allow Ahmad a graceful exit.

He handed his resignation letter to the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin earlier today.

Meanwhile, Najib has announced that Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Abdul Razif Abdul Rahman will be the new menteri besar, and that his appointment has received the consent of the Sultan, Bernama reported today.

“It is hereby announced that the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, has consented to the resignation of Ahmad Said as the menteri besar of Terengganu effective May 12, 2014.

“His Royal Highness has consented to the appointment of Seberang Takir state assemblyman (Datuk) Ahmad Razif as the new menteri besar effective from the date of his swearing in before His Royal Highness,” he said.

According to The Star Online, Razif will be sworn in as the new Menteri Besar tonight in Kuala Terengganu.

Rumours of Ahmad Said’s resignation began swirling after the state administration did poorly in the May 5 polls, winning just 17 of the total 32 seats in the state. PAS won 14 seats and PKR took one.

Ahmad Said had been named menteri besar in 2008, after the state royal palace refused to endorse Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as the MB for another term despite the recommendation of Umno.

Amid rumours that he would not continue his tenure after GE13, Ahmad Said was sworn in again last May.