Embattled MB ready to reconcile with BN ‘rebels’

Datuk Ahmad Said Terengganu Menteri Besar

KUALA TERENGGANU: Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said he would have no problems reconciling with an opposing group of state Barisan Nasional assemblymen if that was what it would take to ensure political stability and progress for the rakyat.

The embattled Kijal assemblyman said BN and Umno’s struggles to uplift the status of the people were far more important than political pride.

“If we feel there are shortcomings among us, then we should address and rectify them. What is more important is the people,” he told reporters after chairing an Umno state liasion committee meeting here on Wednesday night.

Ahmad is currently facing a rebellion from at least 10 BN state assemblymen who accuse him of dictatorship and making bad decisions. They want him replaced.

Political observers believe the numbers aligned to the “rebel camp” could be far higher.
The issue escalated last week when three assemblymen lodged police reports that they received threats via SMS, allegedly from one of Ahmad’s senior official, not to proceed with a rumoured plan to table a motion of no-confidence against him (Ahmad) at the state assembly sitting.

The three, and the seven other “rebels”, citing security concerns, boycotted the sitting the next day. However, on Tuesday night, police arrested a clerk from Seri Kembangan suspected of being the SMS sender.

The 31-year-old man is currently under investigation at the district police headquarters here, and police believe he is not linked to the menteri besar’s office.

On his relationship with former menteri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and the rest of the opposing camp, Ahmad said on the contrary, there were no problems between them.

“I’ve got no problems. If I can be good friends with politicians from Pas, what more those from within Umno? They can see me anytime. My doors are always open.”

Ahmad said he was facing the ongoing crisis calmly and with an open mind. He is also prepared to accept any decision made by the Umno leadership on his position.

Meanwhile, police have not ruled out more arrests if they uncover new evidence.

State CID deputy chief Superintendent K. Manoharan said the case was “high priority” due to the seriousness of the offence and the parties involved.

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