PETALING JAYA - The air in Kuala Terengganu has been rife with rumours surrounding the "Datuk Seri" title of the Mentri Besar.
The media, including government news agency Bernama, has begun to refer to the Mentri Besar as Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman (pic), minus the "Datuk Seri" conferred by the Terengganu palace.
There has been no official announcement about the matter but the Bernama references appear to underscore speculation swirling since Friday that the palace has withdrawn his "Datuk Seri" title.
The reason for Ahmad Razif's predicament is the subject of even more varied speculation although it has been narrowed down to a speech that the Mentri Besar made at a function.
The revocation of titles are not unusual but when it involves a sitting Mentri Besar it holds serious implications.
It has been serious enough for Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to call for calm and to caution against getting emotional. It was his way of saying that Umno and the government are seeking a solution to the situation.
It is going to be very difficult for Ahmad Razif from now on. It is evident the palace is displeased with him and a Mentri Besar needs to have good working relationship with the palace for the state to run smoothly.
Malaysian political history is replete with incidents of the careers of Mentris Besar coming to a sudden end after falling out of grace with the palace.
"A Mentri Besar has to brief the Sultan every week before the state exco meeting. If the palace does not welcome him, how can he carry on?" said Terengganu political analyst Dr Azmi Omar.
Moreover, the Malay Rulers play a significant role in the affairs of state especially in their role as the heads of Islam in their respective state.
The Malay Rulers are rarely explicit in their demands and the withdrawal of Ahmad Razif's title is as explicit as it gets.
Nevertheless, the Mentri Besar was present at a regional conference in Kuala Terengganu that was graced by Sultan Mirzan Zainal Abidin yesterday.
It was very awkward for Ahmad Razif and everyone noted that the master of ceremony had referred to him as "YAB Mentri Besar", without mentioning his name or title.
It was the third time in two days that this had happened.
Those familiar Malay politics are resigned to the fact that it could be a matter of time before Terengganu sees a new Mentri Besar.
If that happens, Terengganu will have its third Mentri Besar in eight years.
Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh failed to go into a second term because of objections from the Palace. He was replaced by Datuk Seri Ahmad Said who was replaced in May 2014.
Poor Ahmad Razif has not had an easy time since he took over from Ahmad who has been to tormenting him, openly criticising him and even attempting to move a vote of no confidence against him at the last state assembly sitting.
The Umno circles are already talking of who will take over and one of the names being flouted is Permaisuri assemblyman and state exco member Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee who is also the Setiu Umno division chief.
The Mentri Besar job in Terengganu is a coveted and prestigious post but, of late, it has also become one of the most unpredictable jobs where one can be there today and gone tomorrow. - ANN
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