KUALA TERENGGANU: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said began his first day of work as Terengganu Mentri Besar at the MB's office in Wisma Darul Iman here at 8am on Tuesday.
His supporters had gathered outside and there was a heavy police presence, but no untoward incidents were reported.
In one of his first statements as MB, he said he intended to continue the good work of his predecessor Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Ahmad Said with his supporters in Kemaman Monday. He says he will be starting work as Mentri Besar Tuesday. - M. Azhar Arif / The Star
"It would have been difficult not to accept the position of Terengganu Mentri Besar as I had been selected by the palace," he said after assuming the office Tuesday.
He was also hopeful that the 22 assemblymen who had protested his appointment would "cool down soon" to pave the way for him to appoint his executive councillors.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would seek an audience with the Yang DiPertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu.
"The matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible," he said.
As for any disciplinary action to be taken against Ahmad for going against the party leadership in accepting the post, Abdullah said he would leave it to the Umno Supreme Council.
The Supreme Council is expected to meet on Thursday.
On Monday, Ahmad said he was the legitimate mentri besar and would officially assume his role today.
He said his appointment was in accordance with the state’s laws and he need not be sworn in for the post.
The appointment letter bestowed to him on Sunday by the Regency Advisory Council was enough, he told a packed press conference at his family home at Kampung Teluk Kalung, Kijal, in Kemaman on Monday.
Ahmad said his swearing-in would be decided at a later date after the dust over his appointment had settled.
He hoped that the state Umno members would not continue with the problems that have engulfed the state.
Ahmad expressed hope that the party members would come to an understanding and lend him their support.
“I understand the confusion that has arisen from my appointment and that many state assemblymen are against it. However, the Council has appointed me, and I will abide by its decision.
“It was never my intention, nor have I ever expressed any interest before for the post. This is the will of Allah the Almighty and I will not decline. God willing, I will step into my office tomorrow as Mentri Besar,” he said on Monday.
Asked of his defiance of Umno and party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who had accorded the post to incumbent Idris, Ahmad said he was not a traitor nor defiant to the party.
He declined to comment further.
Asked about the letter sent to him by state Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid on Saturday that he would be sacked if he went against the president’s directive, he replied:
“I hope they will think (about it) and be patient. I am also an Umno member through and through.”
Pressed about his meeting with the Regency Advisory Council early yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, he said there was nothing to be said.
Ahmad said not all of the assemblymen were against him, adding that he also had the support from the rakyat.
“Ask the people here if they agree with my appointment. I’m sure you’ll find that a majority of them are behind me,” he said, receiving cheers from several hundred supporters who had gathered since noon.
Banners and posters bearing his name as the new Mentri Besar were seen throughout Kijal as Ahmad returned home on Monday escorted by the police.
Hundreds of supporters had also gathered earlier in Chendor near here to welcome him, causing minor traffic congestion. Several policemen and Light Strike Force officers monitored the area.
R.S.N. MURALI and PAUL CHOO
Star Online
His supporters had gathered outside and there was a heavy police presence, but no untoward incidents were reported.
In one of his first statements as MB, he said he intended to continue the good work of his predecessor Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Ahmad Said with his supporters in Kemaman Monday. He says he will be starting work as Mentri Besar Tuesday. - M. Azhar Arif / The Star
"It would have been difficult not to accept the position of Terengganu Mentri Besar as I had been selected by the palace," he said after assuming the office Tuesday.
He was also hopeful that the 22 assemblymen who had protested his appointment would "cool down soon" to pave the way for him to appoint his executive councillors.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would seek an audience with the Yang DiPertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu.
"The matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible," he said.
As for any disciplinary action to be taken against Ahmad for going against the party leadership in accepting the post, Abdullah said he would leave it to the Umno Supreme Council.
The Supreme Council is expected to meet on Thursday.
On Monday, Ahmad said he was the legitimate mentri besar and would officially assume his role today.
He said his appointment was in accordance with the state’s laws and he need not be sworn in for the post.
The appointment letter bestowed to him on Sunday by the Regency Advisory Council was enough, he told a packed press conference at his family home at Kampung Teluk Kalung, Kijal, in Kemaman on Monday.
Ahmad said his swearing-in would be decided at a later date after the dust over his appointment had settled.
He hoped that the state Umno members would not continue with the problems that have engulfed the state.
Ahmad expressed hope that the party members would come to an understanding and lend him their support.
“I understand the confusion that has arisen from my appointment and that many state assemblymen are against it. However, the Council has appointed me, and I will abide by its decision.
“It was never my intention, nor have I ever expressed any interest before for the post. This is the will of Allah the Almighty and I will not decline. God willing, I will step into my office tomorrow as Mentri Besar,” he said on Monday.
Asked of his defiance of Umno and party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who had accorded the post to incumbent Idris, Ahmad said he was not a traitor nor defiant to the party.
He declined to comment further.
Asked about the letter sent to him by state Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid on Saturday that he would be sacked if he went against the president’s directive, he replied:
“I hope they will think (about it) and be patient. I am also an Umno member through and through.”
Pressed about his meeting with the Regency Advisory Council early yesterday in Kuala Lumpur, he said there was nothing to be said.
Ahmad said not all of the assemblymen were against him, adding that he also had the support from the rakyat.
“Ask the people here if they agree with my appointment. I’m sure you’ll find that a majority of them are behind me,” he said, receiving cheers from several hundred supporters who had gathered since noon.
Banners and posters bearing his name as the new Mentri Besar were seen throughout Kijal as Ahmad returned home on Monday escorted by the police.
Hundreds of supporters had also gathered earlier in Chendor near here to welcome him, causing minor traffic congestion. Several policemen and Light Strike Force officers monitored the area.
R.S.N. MURALI and PAUL CHOO
Star Online
No comments:
Post a Comment