Updated 4:01pm, 15 April 2009
KUALA TERENGGANU, 15 April: Today’s sitting of the Terengganu state assembly had a full attendance, with the members including the 10 Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblyperson who were absent at yesterday’s meeting.
All the 32 state assemblypersons, 24 from the BN and eight from the opposition PAS, were present when the meeting of the third and final day at Wisma Darul Iman here began at 9.30am.
The meeting proceeded smoothly, beginning with the question-and-answer session.
The 10 assemblyperson who had skipped yesterday’s meeting are former Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (assemblyman for Jertih), Muhammad Ramli Nuh (Tepuh), Mohd Zawawi Ismail (Kuala Berang), Abdul Halim Jusoh (Permaisuri), Datuk Din Adam (Bukit Besi), Datuk Rosol Wahid (Ajil), Alias Abdullah (Alur Limbat), Zakaria Abdullah (Paka), Ramlan Ali (Jabi) and Mohd Pehimi Yusof (Kota Putera).
It is believed that their absence was related to death threats received via SMS by Rosol, Abdul Halim and Zakaria two days ago.
Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said had also warned of expulsion if any BN assemblyperson tabled a vote of no-confidence in him at the current sitting of the assembly.
Idris, who was approached afterwards, said the 10 assemblypersons attended today’s meeting after having been instructed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to do so and following an assurance from the police on their safety.
Rosol said he had submitted reports on the matter to Najib, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Terengganu palace.
He said it was hoped that the police would take appropriate action against the individual who had sent the death threats via SMS as it was a serious matter.
Menteri Besar Ahmad said all assemblypersons should have a positive attitude and attend the assembly sitting in the interests of the party and people.
Asked whether he was fearful over talk of a no-confidence vote against him, he said: “I am not afraid. I have been up against such a thing before (during the time of his appointment as the menteri besar),” he said.
Ahmad said he brought up the matter of the absent assemblypersons to Najib, who then instructed them to attend today’s sitting of the assembly. — Bernama
