Third rep quits Umno, Terengganu BN a minority gov't

Bukit Besi assemblyperson Roslee Daud has become the third state representative to quit Umno, effectively making BN a minority in the Terengganu state assembly.

Roslee (right), who is also state rural development, entrepreneurship, cooperative and consumerism committee chairperson, in a copy of a letter dated May 12 faxed toBernama today, said:

"Please be informed that I hereby resigned from my position in the party effective immediately."

Roslee's departure comes hours after former Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said, who is also Kijal assemblyperson and Ajil assemblyperson Ghazali Taib, who is also a state exco member, quit Umno to become Independents.

This leaves BN with 14 state assemblypersons to Pakatan Rakyat's 15 assemblypersons in the state assembly, on top of the three who have now declared themselves as independents.

Ahmad also resigned as menteri besar yesterday and was immediately replaced by state science, technology and innovation, energy, green technology and water committee chairperson Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, who took his oath of office before Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah, near Kuala Terengganu, at 9.18pm.

Roslee's letter was addressed to Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and was courtesy-copied to the state assembly speaker.

‘Another two expected to quit Umno’

Meanwhile, Berita Harian reported that Kemasik state assemblyperson Rosli Othman and Permaisuri state assemblyperson Mohd Jidin Shafie, about whom speculation has been that they will defect, have denied that they will follow in Ahmad’s footsteps to quit Umno.

However, a source close to the former menteri besar toldMalaysiakini that at least two more assemblypersons are expected to quit Umno.

They are Kuala Berang assemblyperson Tengku Putera Tengku Awang and Pengkalan Berangan assemblyperson A Latiff Awang.

If the duo were to follow through with the plan, it will bring the total Umno-turned-independent state assemblypersons to five and reduce Umno’s numbers in the house to 12.

Meanwhile, Sinar Harian reported that Terengganu PAS has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis after the party, together with its ally PKR, suddenly found themselves with the controlling majority in the house.