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.