Friday March 28, 2008

Barisan backs Ahmad as Terengganu MB

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional has decided to fully support Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said as the new Terengganu Mentri Besar instead of its earlier choice Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made the announcement after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at the PWTC yesterday.

He said the coalition wanted to move away from the impasse and form the new state government quickly so that it can get down to work to implement projects beneficial to the people.

Abdullah, who is the Umno president, said the decision was also made based on the fact that Idris, the former Mentri Besar, had said that he would accept whatever decision made by the supreme council and support whoever was chosen to lead the state.

Decision made: Idris and his supporters leaving Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur last night after a meeting with the Prime Minister.

On whether the decision to accept Ahmad instead of Idris was a “loss of face” for the Prime Minister, Abdullah replied: “It’s not a question of losing face because what is more important was that the matter has been resolved.

“We are aware that the Regency Advisory Council has made the decision that (Ahmad) is the person they want for Mentri Besar ... and Idris has said he will accept whoever is chosen, including Ahmad.

“What is important is that the matter has been resolved. In our efforts to find a resolution of course there will be matters that will be weighed. What is important is the people of Terengganu.

“Terengganu needs to have a state government and the Mentri Besar who has been chosen still does not have an exco. He’s only one man and has not even been sworn in.

“So, now that we have given our support, the other action (selecting the exco) can follow and we are confident that the state government will now be able to be formed and function.”

Abdullah pointed out that Barisan had won Terengganu by a two-thirds majority, which was a big mandate, and thus it was important to find a solution as soon as possible so that the rakyat could get a government that could move the projects for their future and for the state.

The Prime Minister said his meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu, on Wednesday was to find the best solution so that the Mentri Besar could function as soon as possible.

Abdullah revealed that Tuanku Mizan had said that he had no part in it because it was a decision by the Terengganu Regency Advisory Council.

On whether the appointment of Ahmad was constitutional, Abdullah said that it was in accordance with the Terengganu constitution.

“What is important is that the appointment has been made and we must go on and not be engaged on the question of legality or anything of that sort.

“It’s already been more than two weeks now since we (Barisan) have been declared the winners. Therefore it is our intention as the winners to be sure the people who have voted for us will have a government that will look after their interests and carry out whatever projects for the advancement and progress of the state.”

To a question on why there was no compromise for a third person to be Mentri Besar, Abdullah said the details were not for the press to know.

“What you should know is that a decision has been made in the interest of the people of Terengganu. That is what we have uppermost in our mind. We cannot be going on disputing. I think that’s not good.”

He believed that the 22 assemblymen who had opposed Ahmad as Mentri Besar and pledged their support for Idris instead would be able to work with their new Mentri Besar.

“I believe the (22) assemblymen are loyal to the party and will wholeheartedly accept and support whatever decision that is made by the party. I’m sure they can work with him,” he said.

Abdullah also said the supreme council thanked Idris for his years of service as the Terengganu Mentri Besar.

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