Seberang Takir state assemblyperson Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman has been appointed the new menteri besar of Terengganu, succeeding Ahmad Said who resigned today.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, in announcing this in a statement to Bernama tonight, said Ahmad Razif's appointment had received the consent of the sultan of Terengganu.

"It is hereby announced that Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the resignation of Ahmad Said as the menteri besar of Terengganu effective May 12, 2014.

"His royal highness has consented to the appointment of Ahmad Razif as the new menteri besar effective from the date of his swearing in before his royal highness," Najib was quoted as saying.

Ahmad Razif (right), 49, is also the state executive councillor for science and technology, environment, energy, green technology and water.

He took his oath of office before Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Syarqiyyah near Kuala Terengganu tonight.

According to Star Online, present at the ceremony were all state exco members.

Ahmad Said, however, did not attend the swearing-in ceremony.

He was first appointed the menteri besar on March 23, 2008. He was reappointed in May last year after the 13th general election.

Speculation had been rife that Ahmad Said would be replaced following an agreement with the prime minister.

Based on the agreement, Ahmad Said would remain as menteri besar for only a year after BN almost lost the state in the 13th general election last year.

In the last general election, BN won 17 state assembly seats against Pakatan Rakyat's 15, and managed to win half of the state's eight parliamentary seats.

Bread and penguins

Last December, Ahmad Said was compared to an English folklore hero when he stopped two lorries carrying bread in Chendor, Pahang so that the bread can be distributed to hungry and stranded flood victims in Kemaman.

His action went viral on Facebook and certain blogs called him Robin Hood.
        
"I am no Robin Hood," he later stressed, explaining that while Robin Hood robbed the rich, and gave money to the poor, his actions were still wrong.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Said had also courted controversy when led a Malaysian delegation's 15-day visit to Antarctica.

The working visit was initiated towards enabling Malaysia contribute to research on climate change which has become increasingly unpredictable.

Among those who took him to task was DAP MP Tony Pua, who said: "He isn't even the country’s minister of science and technology, or the minister of natural resources and environment.

"He is the chief minister of a state, Terengganu who has no business gallivanting in the unpopulated South Pole!"

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