Change Kelantan Leadership: 'Best Alternative Offered to BN'

KUALA MUDA - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has suggested that the people of Kelantan choose the unity government in Saturday's state elections instead of Pas' offer of a new leadership shake-up in the state.

Zahid said this is the best alternative that the Kelantan people should consider following their alleged rejection of Caretaker Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

"The change in leadership is their internal matter. We won't interfere, but Kelantan will be in even worse shape if (the mandate is) given to Nik Amar. Therefore, the best alternative is to offer this change to Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Moreover, the people of Kelantan, particularly those whom Nik Amar's actions have hurt, have led to a maximum level of resentment towards him.

"It's good that Nik Amar becomes the poster boy this time. Hopefully, they will be out of the picture," he said in a press conference in Kota Kuala Muda, here, on Friday.

Zahid, also the Umno President, was accompanied by the BN candidate for Pantai Merdeka, Wan Mohalina Wan Mohammad.

On Friday, Sinar Harian reported that Caretaker Kelantan MB Datuk Ahmad Yakob, and his Deputy, Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, will be replaced if Pas defends the state on Saturday.

Caretaker Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Caretaker Terengganu MB Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, on the other hand, will be retained if they continue to receive the mandate of the people and the consent of the Sultan of both states.

Pas Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the decision was made during the Central Pas Executive Committee meeting chaired by party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, on Aug 10, in Rusila, Terengganu.

"In Kelantan, there will be changes to the combination of the Menteri Besar and the deputy; there will be a 'combination' of new leadership comprising a religious figure and a technocrat," he said in a statement on Friday.