Ahmad Said addressing the Terengganu State Assembly sitting. — Bernama photo
KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu state assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong rejected a no-confidence motion against Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman moved by Kijal assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said during the assembly’s sitting today.
Mohd Zubir said the motion was moved without giving any notice and did not follow the standing orders.
“After studying the Standing Orders, I find that Clause 33 must be referred together with Clause 45 which states that in whatever situation, the permission of the Speaker must be obtained (to move a motion) even though without notice and I find this motion does not have any element of urgency or that important that it must be debated without delay.
“As such and in view of the motion not relating to the administration of the state or the menteri besar himself but the validity of the state government itself, I find it is not contained in Clause 33. So I am rejecting it,” Mohd Zubir.
During debate on the motion of thanks for the Royal address, Ahmad initially spoke about housing and the Bertam oilfield.
However, minutes into his debate, Ahmad, who is Ahmad Razif’s predecessor, dropped a bombshell by moving the no-confidence motion against Ahmad Razif.
Ahmad, who was dropped as menteri besar midway into his second term, cited that there was a conspiracy to tarnish his image as a politician.
He also raised the issue of the Bertam 3 oilfield located near Geliga, Kemaman, which was announced was in Pahang waters but he claimed was actually in Terengganu waters.
He further claimed that under the administration of Ahmad Razif, house prices in the state skyrocketed as compared to when he was menteri besar.
He also complained about the East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) tolled highway saying the state government had to pay RM950 million for it when in other states, the cost (for tolled highways) was borne by the private sector or fully by the federal government.
The Speaker then asked to be give some time to study the motion.
The debate session was then postponed by two hours and at 3pm, the Speaker announced his decision.
This led to an uproar in the house with opposition members and also Ahmad disputing the decision which caused the Speaker to adjourn the sitting to today. — Bernama