Barisan’s 22 reps to back Ahmad - The Star

By R.S.N. Murali

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Terengganu Mentri Besar saga has ended with the 22 assemblymen who initially opposed the appointment of Datuk Ahmad Said now supporting his appointment.

Terengganu Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid said the 22, who had earlier backed former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, had reconciled with Ahmad.

He said they would now be a united front and support the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to end the controversy over who should be appointed the state's Mentri Besar.

“We are now one big family and abide by the command of our general (Abdullah),” he said yesterday.

The 22, out of the state's 24 Barisan assemblymen, had earlier pledged support for Idris as Mentri Besar. However, the state's Regency Advisory Council appointed Kijal assemblyman Ahmad as Mentri Besar on March 23.

Idris also initially had Abdullah's backing but the Umno supreme council on Thursday decided to endorse Ahmad's appointment.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/29/nation/20790704&sec=nation]