Haji Hadi should ask for an emergency Dewan Sitting!

I have refrained from rushing in to comment on the Terengganu politics. Even 24 hours is a long time in politics. As of now, what we are sure of is, Ahmad Said and another left UMNO. They are now independents. The term has no substantive significance. It is just a term of art signifying, we are available for kautim.

Late last night, I received information that both of them have declared themselves to be BN friendly independents. If a vote is taken inside Terengganu’s DUN, BN would have 18 potential affirmative votes- including one from the speaker. It will be 18-15. 16 from BN and 2 from the BN- friendly independents.

The chief reason why I refrained from rushing in, is my understanding of the UMNO psychology. Very rarely do UMNO members show their real intention loudly. Unless they want to use that loudness as a bargaining chip and are using their high decibel protests as advertisements saying they are available for discussions. Najib needs to fear the silent ones more than Mat Said and his fellow traveller. Mat Said’s bark is worse than his bite.

But what can Haji as PAS leader do?

He can write to the speaker asking for a special sitting of the Dewan. Then he can table a vote of no confidence in the new MB. Let us see how things work out. Maybe on that particular day, some UMNO ADUNs will stay out citing illnesses, food poisoning and some other convenient ailments.

At the moment, we need to understand- Mat Said and his fellow traveller’s backpedalling is just for show- to minimise pressure from UMNO top leadership and also to lull the UMNO leadership into a complacency. People of Ahmad Said’s temperament are not ones to quickly extinguish their anger for some time. He and his fellow supporters and those of like mind may have decided to stay quiet for some time. So PAS should not waste time too much to ask for a special sitting of the Dewan. The Speaker cannot refuse their request. Hadi heads the voice of 15 ADUNs in Terengganu. If the Speaker delays, Hadi can set himself before the Sultan.

It is strange why UMNO is quick to prefer a siting of the DEwan to verify and establish for a fact as to whether the MB has the majority voice. It didn’t show the same prudence, circumspection and judiciousness when the same thing happened in Perak a few years back. There, the Sultan did not ask for a sitting of the Dewan but instead was ready to accept an oral presentation from the relevant parties, namely from UMNO. It was one man’s word against another. The willingness and readiness to accept without having to go before the Dewan has created a precedence affirmed by the court. That you can change a state government without having a special sitting of the DEwan to establish legitimacy.

Haji Hadi could have gone before the Sultan and Terengganu to say- that his party or faction has the majority voice in the DEwan. If the Sultan of Terengganu followed the precedent in Perak, Haji Hadi could propose someone from his faction to become MB.

But UMNO didn’t. It is more willing to test its legitimacy in the Dewan believing that when push comes to shove, it will still have 18 votes.

Hadi’s people could be better off cultivating the UMNO people who prefer to keep quiet but are willing to deliver the coup de grace later. So, know the UMNO psychology. Najib is not yet safe and he knows it.

Ask for a special Dewan sitting and I assure you, Najib will shit bricks.