An eye for an eye
"Change of government" (read "seizing of power") is an infectious disease that spreads from state to state.
By Tay Tian Yan (Sin Chew Daily)
In Perak, Barisan Nasional seized the power from Pakatan Rakyat; and in Terengganu, it is BN seizing the power from BN.
The case in Terengganu is of particular interest.
A year ago, Ahamd Said seized the menteri besar post from Idris, and one year later, Idris wants to take back his seat with the help from a few comrades. And his close ally Rosol Wahid has nothing to hide of his intention.
You shaved other people's head, and other people are awaiting the opportunity to serve you the same.
There are 32 state assembly seats in Terengganu. UMNO has secured 23, MCA 1 and PAS 8.
Idris already has ten UMNO assemblymen on his side, and a few others are keen to cross over.
They are not going to do anything they are not confident of.
Ahmad Said has never been in the state political mainstream, and has problem steering the state UMNO. Even after a year in office as MB, he is still seen by many as weak.
Nevertheless, he is also not too vulnerable, ready to be toppled anytime.
He is the menteri besar anointed by the Sultan. He has been able to grab the menteri besar seat merely because of the Sultan's insistence.
And that is his talisman.
Several days ago, it was rumoured that Ahmad Said's status was precarious, but he said confidently any change to the status quo would need the Sultan's consent.
When the two sides are locked in a tough fight, the Sultan's attitude will become critical.
If the Sultan stays out of this business, Idris will have his day.
But if the Sultan lends his full support to Ahmad Said, then Idris will have a hard time pursuing his intent.
The UMNO central leadership's stand is contradictory. The party central could only mediate, not dominate.
While the party central is unwilling to offend the local forces, it is also not going to do anything against the Sultan's will.
If UMNO has branded Nizar Jamaluddin a traitor for openly defying the Sultan's orders, how could it smash its own leg with the same rock in Terengganu?
Moreover, UMNO is still trying to enlist the support of the royalty, and is therefore most unlikely to confront the royalty.
When the state UMNO is torn apart, PAS is closely evaluating the situation. Once the no-confidence motion is tabled in the state assembly, all eyes will now fall on PAS assemblymen's attitude.
Forming a coalition government could be another option.
In the end, Ahmad Said still has his last straw: to get the Sultan's consent to dissolve the state assembly.
In which case, he is shaving UMNO's head! (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
