Terengganu MB Attends First Day At Office

Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said who received his letter of appointment as the new Terengganu Menteri Besar (MB) from the state Regency Advisory Council began the first day of work at the Terengganu MB's office at 8am this morning. There was a heavy police presence and he was welcomed and cheered by his supporters. Apparently there were no untoward incidents.

Ahmad had yesterday announced before his supporters who gathered at his mother's house in Teluk Kalong, Kijal that he will enter the MB's office and begin his duties as MB today. That he has done. However this is the easy part. What is surely to follow is the tricky bit involving the law, diplomacy and much patience from the BN leadership.

Yesterday Ahmad explained that he did not have to take the oath of office as Menteri Besar as there were no legal provisions requiring him to do so after receiving his appointment letter from the Palace.

Asked whether he would be moving into the MB's official residence, Seri Iman, in Kuala Terengganu, Ahmad said: "Not yet...I have to wait."

Sunday, Ahmad, 51, received his letter of appointment as MB from the Regency Advisory Council in a closed-door ceremony at Istana Tetamu in Kuala Terengganu.

The appointment has put a spanner in the works for state Umno liaison chairman and former MB Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, as he had earlier been picked by party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Menteri Besar for the second term.

Ahmad's appointment has drawn various reactions from the top Umno leadership, including strong objection from 22 of the Terengganu BN assemblymen who won in the March 8 general election. (A report in Malaysiakini yesterday however had speculated that some of the 22 assemblymen may turn tail and support Ahmad Said).

Earlier, Ahmad maintained that he was no traitor to Umno as he had worked tirelessly for the party since the days "when my father was still alive", and all quarters should therefore not question his loyalty to Umno.

"The crisis might have arisen due to a misunderstanding," he said and hoped that the Umno top leadership would be patient and view the serious issue in the best way. As a party member, I know the rules. So we need to be patient in finding a solution. It's easy to sack someone but you know better the repercussions," he told reporters.

"My appointment as Menteri Besar is not on my own will but it's God's will. What can we do but to accept it," said Ahmad.

The Kemaman Umno division chief said he had no intention of dividing or destroying Umno.
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