The Terengganu palace wins

Umno Supreme Council just decided that it would unanimously support the palace-backed Ahmad Said as the new Terengganu menteri besar.

Apparently the council, headed by party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, directed former MB Idris to accept Ahmad’s appointment.

Abdullah himself said that the next task was to appoint the exco members to get the state administration running.

Well, until yesterday Abdullah was still insisting that Idris should be the MB, even calling Ahmad’s appointment unconstitutional. The party was suppose to sack Ahmad today.

And then came the meeting with the King/Sultan of Terengganu yesterday morning. What transpired at the meeting, no one can be sure but when Abdullah came out of the meeting, he knew he had to back down.

And when the matter was discussed at the council meeting today, sources say that none of the council members objected Ahmad’s appointment. Does this mean only Abdullah was against it, along with Idris?

Whatever it is, the council is likely to have a new member, Ahmad, in his capacity as the state Umno chief. I expect him to replace Idris for the position too.

So it IS bye, bye Idris, and hello Ahmad.

And for Abdullah, he has to keep a straight face even when he knows full well that he had been given a body blow by the royal palace.