Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu has ordered to strip all the titles conferred to menteri besar Ahmad Razif, adding elements of uncertainty to the state politics.
It is unusual for a sultan to strip the title conferred to an MB, and this to a very large extent reflects his royal highness’ displeasure with the MB. As such, Razif’s position becomes precarious and with the prime minister now stepping in to intervene, things have yet to clear as of this moment.
BN managed only 17 out of 32 state seats in the last election while PAS bagged 14 and PKR one. BN retained the state’s administration with a mere two-seat majority, and it will only take a handful of state reps to jump ship to bring about an administration change. The current split and division within Umno in Terengganu will add a further dose of uncertainty to the state administration.
Such a split could be traced back to 2008 when Umno intended to name incumbent Idris Jusoh as MB but the Sultan preferred Kijal state assemblyman Ahmad Said. Although Idris had the support of 22 Umno reps, he eventually had to give way to Ahmad Said, and the crack began to take shape from then on.
Ahmad Said quit the MB post in 2014 and threatened to bring two other state reps with him to leave Umno, sparking a new administrative crisis. Although BN subsequently managed to keep the state administration following a decision by the trio to return to the team, the same has invariably exposed the vulnerability of BN administration in Terengganu.
Last month, Ahmad Said tabled a motion of no confidence against Razif in the state assembly, sending yet another round of shockwave in the state’s politics. Although the latter managed to shake off the crisis thanks to the staunch support of 15 Umno reps and the rejection of the no-confidence motion by the Speaker, it nevertheless highlights the fact that the rift within Umno is far from being resolved despite the MB change. In its stead. there are signs the crisis is deepening.
With Terengganu now plunged into a new political crisis, rumors have it that the MB might soon be replaced. It is essential that the BN leadership handle this matter cautiously and seek feasible political channels to put down the storm. Mishandling of this issue could further divide the state Umno.
From the perspectives of public interest, the Terengganu political crisis has to be put to an end as soon as possible. Compared to a leadership swap, the interest of the people should come way more important.
Before the crisis is settled completely, it is utterly important for the government to ensure that state administration runs without any disruption or the state’s development would be compromised.-mysinchew
