And the Barisan Nasional’s tenuous hold on power in the state is being threatened again by an internal Umno crisis.
There is speculation that the crisis in Umno Terengganu could lead to Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman deciding to call snap polls. Or, if former menteri besar Ahmad Said is sacked by Umno, it could lead to a situation where snap polls may have to be called.
The Star had reported that next Monday’s state assembly sitting could decide whether the state might have to resort to a snap election.
The report said it had learned that Ahmad Razif had suggested that the Umno Supreme Council consider a snap state election to resolve the internal crisis once and for all.
“The MB is resigned to the situation. If there is to be an election, he is ready and confident that Barisan will do better,” a Terengganu Umno official was quoted as saying.
However, today, The Star reported that Ahmad Razif was downplaying the possibility of a snap election, indicating he would remain as MB.
After chairing the weekly state executive council meeting on Wednesday, Ahmad Razif told reporters that all was well with the political scenario in the state.
Ahmad Razif and former MB Ahmad Said, the Kijal assemblyman, have been at each other’s throats ever since Ahmad Said ‘resigned’ as MB.
In 2014, Ahmad Said triggered a major Umno crisis when he quit the party, taking along two of his supporters — Ajil Assemblyman Ghazali Taib and Bukit Besi Assemblyman Roslee Daud. All three rejoined Umno after talks with the national Umno leadership.
This March, Ahmad Said sought to move a motion of no confidence against Ahmad Razif in the state assembly but it was shot down by the speaker.
Following that, there has been talk of action against Ahmad Said. Reports said the Terengganu Umno had recommended that he be sacked from the party.
Last Saturday, Ahmad Said is said to have gone on a verbal rampage against both Ahmad Razif and Umno President Najib Razak.
Later, Ahmad Razif, told reporters that Terengganu Umno had sent a report on Ahmad Said’s alleged wrongdoings to the Umno Supreme Council and the Umno disciplinary board.
On Tuesday, Ahmad Said supporter Ghazali, who is also State Communications and Multimedia, and Special Tasks Committee Chairman, told a press conference there was no need to sack Ahmad Said or any assemblyman in Terengganu.
The Star reported that in criticising Ahmad Razif’s government, Ghazali reminded the BN that it was holding onto power with a two-seat majority.
Umno holds 17 of the 32 seats in the state assembly. PAS has 14 and the PKR one.
On Wednesday, Ahmad Said warned Ahmad Razif not to make an enemy of him if he wanted to resolve the crisis.
He said: “I have not interfered with his administration for over a year, I just wanted to observe him and the lies he spews…He should play nice with me.”
Ahmad Said claimed Ahmad Razif was among those who had influenced Najib to remove him as MB and that Ahmad Razif and his brother Jailani had been giving “wrong information” about him to the Umno president.
“I know all about this but I refused to take action as I was aware of the fact that the BN was holding on to a two-seat majority in the state, and I love Umno.”
He said Terengganu Umno should not have proposed that he be sacked as it would only complicate matters.
He said: “I don’t care if the MB and the division leaders are all out to get me removed. But I’m not sure if they realise that if I am sacked, it would result in a hung assembly and according to Terengganu laws, where there is no majority, the state assembly has to be dissolved.
“If the Sultan does not allow for this, the MB and his Exco must resign. Subsequently, the Sultan will have to appoint a new MB, especially if the independent assemblyman chooses not to side with the Opposition.”