Ahmad Said not interested in GE14, warns of turmoil in Terengganu politics

(The Star) – Terengganu will not be free from political turmoil until the next general election, warned former mentri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.

Ahmad made headlines when he and two other assemblymen quit Umno on Monday and forced Barisan Nasional into a minority government.

He reportedly sent in the resignation letter hours after he was replaced as mentri besar.

Ahmad said “anything can happen” as long as Barisan only have a slim two-seat majority in the state assembly.

“The state of Terengganu politics is very fragile. Remember 17-15 (Barisan has 17 seats in the state assembky to Pakatan Rakyat’s 15). Handle with care. Anything can happen within four years.

“When we carry fragile items on a plane, we must make sure it is wrapped properly,” Ahmad told reporters at the wedding reception he hosted for his daughter at his residence in Teluk Kalong here.

Reports said Ahmad took the decision to resign from Umno as he was upset at not being allowed to step down as mentri besar after the wedding reception.

“I am happy my daughter’s wedding reception went well. Do I feel relieved? I am always happy.

“My only concern was that this whole thing involved my daughter. But I am a fighter,” said Ahmad.

He added that his main grouse over his removal from office was the hasty manner in which it was carried out.

“I have always said there is not a problem here. It is just the way it was conducted.

“If I had been given time, at least I could bid a proper goodbye to my staff before stepping down.

“I am not upset. I just hope that next time they would be more careful,” said Ahmad.

The Kijal assemblyman also announced that he would not be contesting the next general election as he “has had enough”.

“If I could, I would have stepped down now. No, do not want to be a candidate in the next election. Sorry lah. I have had enough,” said Ahmad, who became mentri besar in 2008.