Ex-MB upset with PM, says more will quit
Malaysiakini – 4 hours ago
Former Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Said, who plunged the state into a crisis by quitting together with another state assemblyperson late last night, has said that others will follow suit.
Speaking to Malaysiakini this morning, he however declined to reveal the number or the names of those who would quit .
"Insya-Allah (God willing), there will be more (who will resign)," he said.
Ahmad and Ajil assemblyperson Ghazali Taib (right), who is also a state exco member, had resigned just hours after the former was replaced as menteri besar yesterday evening.
Sources claimed that those likely to abandon ship include Bukit Besi rep Roslee Daud and Kemasik rep Rosli Othman. Both are also state executive council members.
The state Umno is believed to be in an emergency meeting on the matter.
Peeved with PM
Explaining his sudden move, Ahmad revealed that he quit following disappointment with Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.
"I have worked in Umno for a long time. I told the PM that my daughter's wedding reception is on May 17 and asked for the change of MB to happen after that.
"He told me that was a personal matter, so I told him not to blame me if I quit the party," Ahmad, who is also Kijal assemblyperson, said.
Earlier, Umno secretary general Tengku Adnan Mansor reportedly said that he expects no issues within Umno following the swap as it was accepted by local leaders.
According to Star Online last night, Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman was sworn in yesterday evening in the presence of the entire executive council.
Two exco members slated to be axed
Meanwhile, an opposition state leader told Malaysiakini that it is unclear whether the Kemasik rep would resign from Umno.
However, he added both Rosli (Kemasik) and Roslee (Bukit Besi) were expected to be dropped from the exco line-up under the new menteri besar, Ahmad Razif (right) .
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the opposition rep said that Ghazali, on the other hand, wanted to quit from Umno even before the latest crisis.
Apart from this, he also revealed that two other exco members - Hulu Besut rep Nawi Mohamad and Pengkalan Berangan rep A Latiff Awang - are also aligned to Ahmad Said.
"The state assembly speaker is also closely linked to the former MB. Zubir Embong was appointed as speaker because of his ties with Ahmad," he added.
Contrary to the Star Online report, New Straits Times this morning said Ghazali was among five assemblypersons who were absent from Ahmad Razif's swearing in ceremony.
However, the Umno-linked daily said it is not known whether the other four, which included Mahdi Musa (Kota Putera), Rosli (Kemasik), A Latiff (Pengkalan Berangan) and Roslee (Bukit Besi) will make the same move.
Rumours are also abuzz that PAS president and Rhu Rendang rep Abdul Hadi Awang is expected to seek an audience with the state ruler, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, regarding the crisis tomorrow.
Ahmad Said is expected to hold a press conference later today.
