HULU TERENGGANU, 27 April 2009: Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said today only the people could make an assessment of his success or failure in administrating the state because their evaluation reflected their sentiments.
“If I fail, replace me. But in the near term, give me a chance to prove my sincerity and commitment in championing the people’s cause. Do not place restrictions in my path in an attempt to foil my efforts,” he said when asked whether the recent political developments in the state undermined his position as the menteri besar.
Speaking to reporters after officiating at the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in the Hulu Terengganu District, he said these political developments should not be allowed to drag on to the next general election for it would be detrimental to Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN).
Ahmad had recently warned BN assemblypersons of expulsion if they tabled a vote of no-confidence in him at the state assembly sitting.
Ten assemblypersons had also skipped the assembly sitting one day, with three of them citing death threats received via SMS as their reason for having stayed away.
“I admit that (political) incidents which dragged on from the time I was appointed menteri besar have tainted Umno’s struggle in Terengganu,” he said, and called on Umno members to travel the path of truth as they were not only facing the opposition parties but the people, who could lose confidence in the party.
On the appointment of Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein in his place as the chairperson of the Terengganu Umno Liaison Committee, Ahmad said he fully supported the appointment.
Ahmad, who is now the deputy chairperson, said he would extend full cooperation to Hishammuddin, who is the Home Minister, in efforts to strengthen the party to face the next general election.
He said the distribution of administrative and political authority would enable him to focus on the development of the state which had been hampered for more than a year due to political pressure.
Ahmad said he would have a meeting with Hishammuddin to discuss several matters for the good of all quarters in the state.
“The interests of the people and facing the next general election have to be given priority. I am confident of the people’s support at all times,” he said.
Meanwhile, RM10 million has been allocated for the installation of the closed-circuit television cameras in all the seven districts in the state in a move to reduce crime and restore the people’s confidence in their safety.
So far, the Hulu Terengganu, Setiu, Besut and Marang districts have installed the cameras while Kuala Terengganu, Dungun and Kemaman were in the process of installing them. — Bernama
