KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 — Terengganu PAS says it is equipped to replace Umno as the ruling party in the state in the event Umno malcontents Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Ghazali Taib leave their party.
Terengganu PAS commissioner Satiful Bahari Mamat dismissed the idea of a no confidence motion against Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman at next week’s state assembly sitting, saying it would be redundant in the event of the duo’s exit.
“We are suggesting that Mat Said, Ghazali leave Umno; when this happens, PAS will automatically hold the majority of seats in the state assembly, and then the Palace will call to decide on a new government.
“PAS is ready to take over. Don’t just make empty threats. Kijal and Ajil must quit,” Satiful told Malay Mail Online, referring to Ahmad Said and Ghazali’s respective state constituencies.
He added that a vote of no-confidence would not result in a tangible outcome, citing Ahmad Said’s failed attempt to introduce such a motion in the assembly previously.
Any such motion must also be preceded by 14 days’ notice before its tabling, Satiful noted when saying that there has been none.
Satiful also said PAS would not court Ahmad Said or Ghazali to join the party if they left Umno.
“No need to invite them. If they quit, we already have the majority to rule,” he added.
Former Terengganu MB Ahmad Said, who was replaced by Ahmad Razif two years ago, has repeatedly challenged his successor’s leadership, including seeking a no-confidence vote against him in March, which failed as the motion was made without notice and violated the Standing Orders.
Umno holds 17 seats in the 32-seat Terengganu state legislative assembly while opposition parties PAS and PKR have 14 and one, respectively.
Ahmad Said and Ghazali have both criticised Ahmad Razif’s leadership openly.
Losing Ahmad Said and one other state lawmaker would result in Umno becoming a minority government.
Ahmad Razif has requested that the Umno disciplinary board take action against Ahmad Said for his recent open criticism of the state party leadership.
The Terengganu MB has affirmed there will not be early state elections and insisted all was well within his administration.
This is despite claims from Umno’s Ajil assemblyman Ghazali that the majority of state lawmakers were unhappy with the political situation there.
It was previously reported that Ahmad Razif had proposed early state elections as a solution to the leadership crisis between him and predecessor Ahmad Said.
According to The Star, there may be new developments at the state legislative assembly when it sits next Monday that could result in a hung government in Terengganu, as Ahmad Said and Ghazali might rebel.-themalaymailonline
