Najib to attend wedding of former MB's daughter in goodwill gesture

PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will attend the wedding reception of former Terengganu menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said's daughter on Saturday as a show of goodwill after resolving the political crisis in the state.

He thanked Ahmad, Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib for retracting their decision to leave Umno, which would have upset Barisan Nasional's majority in the Terengganu state assembly.

"I am glad that they have decided to put Umno's interests above all, and thank them for the party spirit that they have shown in resolving this crisis," Najib said after launching the Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad Auto Forum 2014 here.

Ahmad had initially decided to quit Umno and become an independent representative when his request to relinquish the menteri besar's post after his daughter's wedding reception was rejected.

However, Najib, who is Umno president, said the issue had stemmed from a misunderstanding as the wedding reception in question, scheduled for May 17, was a second ceremony after the first was held on May 10 to accommodate the Terengganu sultan.

"We did not know about the second reception, as we thought the wedding was already over.

"It was a miscommunication. After Ahmad and I spoke and explained ourselves, we cleared the matter up. Ahmad also told me that he loved the party too much to leave."

Najib said the short-lived crisis was a lesson for Umno and an opportunity for the party to close ranks and strengthen its position in Terengganu.

"Most of all, it is important to maintain and strengthen party discipline. We must take this as a lesson so that we can mature and ensure that the people's support for BN continues."

He also thanked all Terengganu BN assemblymen for their undivided support towards him and new Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Terengganu Umno divisional, Women's, Youth and Puteri leadership have been asked to resume focusing on developing the state following the end of its political turmoil recently.

Expressing relief and gratitude over the swift resolution to the party crisis, he said the state leadership could now shift its focus back to developing the state.

Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said it was important for the party to forget the incident and emphasise on fulfilling its duty and responsibility towards Terengganu which was an important component in Malaysia.

"We did not want the crisis to perpetuate, as how the prime minister said, there may have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication (which led to the crisis) and Ahmad had also admitted this.

"What is most important is that the BN government is strong and has the mandate to administer Terengganu."