The Terengganu Menteri Besar Crisis has been resolved! YAB Datuk Ahmad Said has been confirmed by the UMNO Supreme Council as the legitimate Menteri Besar in Terengganu. In the past week, Malaysia saw a two corner fight between the Palace of Terengganu and UMNO. The palace appointed a relatively unknown Assemblyman to replace former Menteri Besar Idris Jusoh. This was a rare move. The first was last week in Perlis. Before this, no Ruler has ever bypassed the Prime Min.. I mean, the choice of President of UMNO.
Yes, Perak, Johor and Negeri Sembilan saw tensions between the Menteri Besar and their respective Rulers. Never have the Rulers resorted to outright appointment of a Menteri Besar. Some resorted to occupying the State Government’s building. Another refused to attend any functions where that Menteri Besar is present. And finally, two Rulers kept a beard in protest.
Malaysia has seen the Prime Minister confronting the Malay Rulers in the past. But back then, the Prime Minister prevailed. He wasn’t troubled with calls of resignation. That Prime Minister has not seen a March 8th before. There was a media war, though, but only after the Prime Minister sought audience with the Rulers.
Personally, I must side with the Regency Advisory Council of Terengganu when it comes to the exercise of their discretionary power of appointment. The Constitutional position is clear. The Ruler has the authority to exercise his discretion in appointing the chief minister. But to stay in office, the chief minister must command the support of majority members of the State Legislative Assembly. The appointment is based on support, not party.
Another development is the UMNO polls. The Supreme Council rejected the motion of postponement. As a prominent member of their said: we should not run away from the problem. Delaying the polls would prove to be a mistake. The date? December 16-20, 2008. I hope they show the live telecast again. It’s going to be one General Assembly…
