So, what’s the real reason Ahmad Said was removed as MB?

Zubaidah Abu Bakar, The Rakyat Post

THE Umno-led Barisan Nasional is in crisis in Terengganu. Despite still holding power, since the State Legislative Assembly Speaker is counted as a BN representative in the house, the Terengganu government remains shaky, ruling with 15 representatives in the 32-member assembly.

Even if the three BN defectors — former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and his two loyalists — Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib and Bukit Besi representative Roslee Daud were to decide later they want to remain in BN, a lot of damage had been done, especially to the Umno leadership and the already fractious Terengganu Umno.

The trio had resigned as Umno members and declared themselves as Independent lawmakers amid controversy over Ahmad’s resignation as menteri besar and subsequent swearing in of Sebarang Takir assemblyman Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman on Monday.

The sudden twists of events in East-coast state were something that was not unexpected. This scenario had often been pictured by Ahmad’s supporters in the past in the event of Ahmad being “forced to resign”.

To be fair to all concerned, the people of Terengganu and the public at large are still in the dark over the real reason why Ahmad, or Mat Said as he is fondly referred to, was removed from office.

Whatever reasons they had heard so far pertaining to Ahmad’s resignation are mere hearsay since they did not come from those in authority, like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who decides on the position of BN Menteris Besar or senior BN leaders.

If a chief executive of a state had to be removed, the people of that particular state should have the right to know the reason behind the removal.

There has been talk that Ahmad had to be made accountable for BN’s poor performance in GE13, where the Terengganu BN he led was only able to hold onto power by winning just 17 of the total 32 state seats.

Ahmad’s failure to stabilise Terengganu Umno since his controversial appointment as menteri besar after the 2008 general election was also said to be a contributing factor.

Terengganu Umno, in reality, had become more fractious than before.

Sources in Putrajaya claimed Najib, who is also Umno president, felt Ahmad should step down to save Terengganu from falling into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat in GE14, although the prime minister has so far not commented on this.

As far as the public is concerned, Najib had re-appointed Ahmad as Menteri Besar despite the poor electoral performance and that on Monday, Ahmad was seen as unwilling to let go of his position.

Ahmad was the Sultan of Terengganu choice over Umno’s nominated Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh after the 2008 GE12.

From fake SMSes, including an announcement on the dissolution of the Terengganu Assembly that are circulating to wild speculations about the state of affairs in the state, BN and Umno can expect more problems surfacing, unless the leadership takes quick action.

Why has the situation reached this embarrassing stage?

Didn’t the Umno leaders foresee what was coming or did Najib decide to proceed with his plan to get Ahmad to resign, regardless of a possible backlash, in a bid to save Terengganu from falling again to PAS?

Ahmad had claimed Najib was unaccommodating to his request to tender his resignation after a thanksgiving ceremony planned at his residence in Kemaman this Saturday in conjunction with his daughter’s wedding.

Was that the only reason?

Removing a serving Menteri Besar from Umno is not something new to the party. Several Menteris Besar and a Chief Minister had been asked to resign in the past over controversies or misdeeds, like in the case of Tan Sri Osman Aroff (Kedah) Datuk Abu Hassan Omar, Tan Sri Mohammed Mohd Taib (Selangor) and Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik (Malacca).

It was how the issues were handled that avoided an embarrassing situation like what is happening now in Terengganu.

The Terengganu BN boat is now on choppy waters and PAS, with 14 seats in hand, is watching on the sidelines, ready to pounce once it is able to get the support of the three Independent assemblymen or other BN assemblymen.

The Islamist party is already facing pressure from party members to seek an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu to claim power and the Menteri Besar position.

With its ally Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) holding one seat, additional support from the defectors would give it the green light to rule the state it had ruled twice since Independence.

Under the Terengganu constitution, the choice of the Menteri Besar is up to the state assembly. If a majority supports a particular candidate, he must be appointed the chief executive of the state.