MB Controversy. Boycott Threat By 22 Terengganu Assemblymen
In a direct and unprecedented challenge to the palace, twenty-two Terengganu Assemblymen have threatened to boycott the swearing-in ceremony if it goes ahead in appointing Kijal state assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar.
Ajil assemblyman Rosol Wahid said that the 22 state reps will send a protest note to the palace.
The office of the Sultan of Terengganu had earlier announced that Datuk Ahmad Said had been appointed the new menteri besar of Terengganu and will take the oath of office in Kuala Terengganu at 10am tomorrow (March 23).
Only this morning it was reported that all the 23 elected assemblymen who backed state Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to helm the state for a second term are standing by him despite the delay in his swearing-in. In fact one rep was quoted by The Star as saying, “things are looking optimistic. I can guarantee that Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh is the Menteri Besar, he has garnered a huge mandate and no one can change this. Everyone should stop listening to rumours.”
How the palace came to this decision is puzzling and if the report that the remaining 22 state assemblymen are definitely boycotting the swearing-in is true, it'll be a tremendous loss of face for the palace.
It looks like too much liberty is being taken where the constitution is concerned and surely this can't be a good thing. If the situation as reported is true, then we must conclude that the palace has overstepped its boundaries and we have a major constitutional crisis at hand. I doubt the palace has the right to pick Datuk Ahmad Said even if the entire royal family dislikes Idris Jusoh. If Idris has the support of the 22, the Sultan must swear him in.
Pak Lah has his work cut out for him in finding an amicable solution. Let's see.
Labels: Malaysian Politics.
posted by The Malaysian. at 3/22/2008 06:44:00 PM
6 Comments:
On this issue, I think Pak Lah deserves the support from everyone who believes in our constitutional monarchy, including the Barisan Rakyat.
The Sultan is mandated to appoint the MB from the person most likely to enjoy the confidence of the State Assembly. Period.
I'm already annoyed with the Selangor palace trying to impose on the Race/Religion of the Deputy Menteri Besar and the composition of the State Exco.
This won't do any good to the future of democracy in Malaysia
The Raja of Perlis had a basis to appoint someone besides Shahidan - lack of support of fellow assembleymen.
In the case of Terengganu, maybe the Sultan has a stronger basis for rejecting Idris Jusoh - it's time that he play this card i.e. state categorically his reason for his rejection of Idris.
Dragon
The sultan is there to protect the people. It is as simple as that. Do you what Idris did during his four years n tenure? He used almost 90% of the royalty money worth 800 millions to launch projects that were beneficial to Patrick Lim and Pak Lah's cronies.They includes Monsoon Cup, The crystal Mosque, the stadium,to name a few. These projects don't benefit us the people of terengganu at all other than the feast to the eyes.
So with that kind of ruling, I don't think the Sultan has crossed any boundaries in appointing the right ruler for the people. Even Ahmad Said is not clean, he is full of shit too but all UMNO MPs are. There's no choice but at least the sultan can give stern warning to the new MB not to mess with the sultan and the rakyat of terengganu.
Daulat tuanku!
Zanie's comments are probably the reason why the Sultan wishes NOT to appoint Idris Jusoh - kinda like anyone but him !
He is sending out a loud and clear message to Badawi and if those allegations are true, then the Sultan is doing his duty to protect the people of his state, since the assemblymen are probably siding with Idris for avaricious reasons, I suppose.
I think nobody overstepped boundaries now. Let's be rational about it. Whichever camp are you from.
The Raja of Perlis acted within the constitution even though his brother is in the exco line-up and he also said that nobody is orang istana/orang raja. Perlis's case is because the wakil rakyat-having been voted into office -chose to betray the rakyat and the UMNO President.
In Terengganu's case nothing can be done by the sultan because the wakil rakyat are steadfast and loyal to the PM and nation.
The best part about all this is that our Govt controlled Media has announced that Datuk A Said will be sworn in today. No mention of any boycott! Biasa lah...nothing has changed with these guys...I have stopped buying our local Newspapers & only tune in to the TV News once in a while when I need a good laugh!
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