PAS can only form new government if new MB resigns, says Umno legal adviser

PAS cannot form the Terengganu government unless the sultan makes the appointment, says an Umno lawyer. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, May 13, 2014.PAS can only take over the state government if the newly appointed Terengganu menteri besar resigns, an Umno legal adviser said today, amid rumours that more of the party's assemblymen are ready to abandon ship.

“Unless it’s taken (at the Terengganu assembly) for a vote of no confidence, MB (Datuk Ahmad) Razif (Abdul Rahman) is still the rightful MB.

“PAS can't form the government unless the sultan appoints (one of them). To appoint someone else, MB Razif must resign,” Datuk Mohd Hafarizam‎ Harun told The Malaysian Insider in a text message.

Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud this morning quit Umno to become an independent candidate following his dissatisfaction over Datuk Seri Ahmad Said’s forced removal from the menteri besar post.

His departure comes hot on the heels of Ahmad Said’s and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib’s resignations from the party, leaving Pakatan Rakyat with a majority of seats in the 32-seat state assembly.

Pakatan now holds 15 seats – PAS with a majority of 14 and one for PKR – and Barisan 14. Ahmad Said, Ghazali and Roslee remain as independent candidates.

PAS Terengganu election director Ariffin Deraman told The Malaysian Insider today that the party may consider changing the government without holding fresh polls.

"BN still has the executive power... The state legal adviser has issued a statement to confirm my view‎," Hafarizam said, referring to the ruling coalition.

"Any alleged exit (becoming independent) from BN/Umno by BN (state assemblymen) is only effective upon receipt of their letter by SUA Umno/BN," he added.

"To date, no letters (have been) received."

(SUA is the Malay acronym for the party’s secretary-general.)

Seberang Takir state assemblymen Razif last night was appointed as the new Terengganu menteri besar.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a statement said Razif’s appointment to replace Ahmad had been approved by Sultan of Terengganu Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Razif was sworn in as menteri besar before the sultan at Istana Syarqiah in Bukit Cendering at 9.25pm yesterday.

The crisis in Terengganu was triggered after Najib authorised Ahmad Said’s resignation letter, which he signed before his reappointment as MB for a second term.

Najib was said to have refused to budge from authorising the letter, despite Ahmad Said’s pleas that his removal only take place after his daughter’s wedding on Saturday.

Ahmad Said signed the resignation letter, which stipulated he must step down a year after he was reappointed the Terengganu MB, following the 13th general election last year.

The letter was to pacify Umno members reluctant to reappoint Ahmad Said to head the state administration. The party agreed that he be allowed to serve as MB for another year.