Ahmad celebrating after winning the Kijal state seat at the Majlis Perbandaran Kemaman, Terengganu. — Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU: Barisan Nasional's poor performance in Terengganu has led to speculation revolving around the mentri besar's position in the state.

Barisan managed to hold on to the state by winning 17 out of the 32 state seats which allows it to form the state government with a simple majority.

Talk is rife that incumbent Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said would be replaced and several names were being mentioned as the possible replacements.

Ahmad is currently in Kuala Lumpur and is believed to be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the mentri besar's position. One of Ahmad's aides said the matter would be resolved soon.

“We will know the outcome within the next few days. Wait and see,” he said.

One of the names being mentioned as the potential mentri besar is Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

The 48-year-old was the exco member for education and has been credited for the state's impressive performance in education. Another name being tossed around is Kuala Besut assemblyman Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar. Besides Ahmad, other division chiefs who won the elections are former Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Tengku Putera Tengku Awang and Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee but both hold parliamentary seats.

Former Mentri Besar Datuk Idris Jusoh has also moved to a parliamentary seat. However, a source from Umno said Ahmad is likely to be retained as mentri besar.

“He is still the best choice and at the end of the day, it is the Prime Minister who decides,” said the source.

In 2008, Terengganu faced a mentri besar crisis that saw Ahmad being appointed instead of Idris, who was the choice of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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