Abdullah To Seek Audience With Tuanku Mizan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tuesday said he will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to discuss and resolve the issue on the appointment of the Terengganu Menteri Besar.

"I will certainly be meeting with Tuanku," he told newsmen after delivering a keynote address at Invest Malaysia 2008 Conference, here.

Abdullah said the meeting would be held as soon as possible.

"I wish I could have done it Monday," said the Umno president.

Abdullah earlier was asked to comment on party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's suggestion that Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and the Prime Minister should seek an audience with Tuanku Mizan and apologise if indeed there was a misunderstanding between Idris and the Palace.

On Saturday, the Terengganu palace issued a statement that Kijal Assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said was appointed as the new Menteri Besar to replace Idris.

However, 22 of the Terengganu BN assemblymen pledged their support for Idris who had received his appointment letter as Menteri Besar from Abdullah.

Following this, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was quoted as saying that Ahmad could face disciplinary action if he accepted the appointment.

On Sunday, Ahmad went against the warning and accepted the letter of appointment from the Palace in a closed-door ceremony.

To another question Abdullah said he was confident the issue could be resolved.

"I like to say this. There are ways of overcoming this present problem we are facing. We know what the situation on the ground is, and that people are exploiting this stuation for their own objectives, forming a lot of conclusions on this.

"But we have to remain cool and at the same time not become oblivious to what is happening with regard to this particular issue," he said, adding that it was an issue that must be addressed quickly.

To another question whether Ahmad would be expelled from the party for going against the party's wishes when he accepted the letter of appointment from the Palace, Abdullah said it was a matter for the Umno Supreme Council to decide.

On a question whether it was true that the Umno general assembly would be held in November instead of August as planned, Abdullah said he would announce the date later.

-- BERNAMA