All set for possible snap polls

KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Umno is all geared up for the possibility of snap polls being called, says Mentri Besar Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.

He added that he was confident that the party would be able to pull off a convincing win.

“But as we all know, an election incurs a lot of the taxpayers’ money, and we also know that the state is financially weak due to the global oil crisis.

“So, for the sake of the people, let’s all come to a decision by having a general election instead of holding a state election,” he said after launching the state-level National Cooperatives Day here yesterday.

Ahmad Razif was also convinced that the state assembly sitting scheduled on Monday would proceed smoothly.

On allegations that the state government had mortgaged the Bertam oil well, he said this was not true.

“I have many times said in the state assembly that the oil well was never ours in the first place. So how are we to mortgage something that was never ours.

“The Federal Government has said before that it will help the nearest state to the oil well. So, that’s what we are negotiating for, a 5% royalty from the Bertam oil well, located about three nautical miles off Terengganu waters,” he said.

He also rubbished claims that he had signed some documents to mortgage the oil well.

“I hope the people will be patient and wait for the outcome of the discussion. Give me time and have trust in me to complete the discussion,” he added.

The state government’s communication unit director Datuk Rosol Wahid said the best way to solve the political turmoil was for Ahmad Razif to seek an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu and call for a state election.

“Snap polls is the best way to solve the issue. It’s better for Ahmad Razif to seek an audience with the Sultan and dissolve the state assembly.

“Our main concern is not this state assembly sitting but the next one in December.

“The question is whether the state budget can be passed. If not, the (state) government will collapse,” he added.