PAS meets over Terengganu crisis, says ‘necessary’ steps being taken
(Malay Mail Online) – PAS leaders in Terengganu are now huddled in a special meeting to discuss the ongoing state crisis, and have vowed to take “necessary” steps in light of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) sudden loss of its coveted majority in the state assembly.
The opposition party said in a statement here that it has been keeping close tabs on the developments in the state from the very beginning and will keep its supporters updated on its next course of action.
“Terengganu PAS leaders have been following this development closely since the beginning and the necessary steps are being taken.
“The PAS liaison committee is holding a special meeting on the political crisis that is happening right now.
“God willing, in the interest of the people, we will decide the best thing to resolve this crisis,” PAS state commission Satiful Bahri Mamat said in a statement.
BN lost its third Umno assemblyman in Terengganu today, costing the coalition its majority in the 32-seat state assembly.
According to press reports, Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud left Umno this morning, following in the footsteps of Ahmad Said and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib to become independent representatives.
The decision by the three to go independent leaves BN with just 14 seats in Terengganu to Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 15.
Should the trio decide to become PR-friendly independents, the opposition pact would then hold greater sway over BN’s weakened grasp over the east coast state.
A source from PAS told The Malay Mail Online that a total of eight Umno assemblymen are expected to defect today, with four from the state executive council.
The source also said the next 24 hours would be crucial as to how this crisis will play out.
The situation is reminiscent of the Perak crisis in 2009 when the defections of three PR assemblymen to become BN-friendly independents saw the former pact lose the northern state.
Ahmad’s resignation from Umno was announced after Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman was sworn in last night as the new Terengganu mentri besar.
Ahmad, who was reappointed Terengganu mentri besar for a second term on May 9 last year, was forced to step down from office mid-term, reportedly due to the BN’s weakest polls performance in a decade.
BN barely kept the state government with 17 state seats against Pakatan Rakyat’s 15 seats in Election 2013.
