The motion of no-confidence against Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman should have been allowed as it followed proper procedure, Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said.

Ibrahim, who had served as a parliamentarian for four terms, said speaker Mohd Zubir Embong erred in rejecting Kijal assemblyperson Ahmad Said’s bid.

“Ahmad Said was exercising his democratic rights as a state assemblyperson,” said Ibrahim Ali told Malaysiakini .

“To me, there’s nothing wrong with exercising your democratic right, and (speaker Mohd Zubir) should not have used his powers in this manner by rejecting (Ahmad’s) bid,” Ibrahim added.

All Terengganu BN assemblypersons except for Ahmad declared support for the MB yesterday, regardless of the motion being rejected.

The speaker rejected Ahmad’s motion on grounds that no notice had been given.

‘State constitution violated’

Ahmad, who is former Terengganu MB, and PKR’s Bandar assemblyperson Azan Ismail, argued that the state constitution clearly states that no notice is required for a motion of no-confidence.

They claimed that by rejecting the motion, Mohd Zubir had violated Article 14(6) of the Terengganu constitution.

Ahmad also cited Article 33 (11), which says matters under the state constitution do not require earlier notification to the speaker.

Ibrahim said that people would have unquestionably accepted its outcome if the matter was put to a vote.

“The outcome of a no-confidence vote would have been wholeheartedly accepted by everyone, as proper democratic process had taken place.

“That’s what a democratic developed nation practices. We are about to become a developed nation, so let’s not be narrow-minded,” he added.

Giving an analogy, Ibrahim said if he had been unfairly accused of a crime, he would have taken the matter to the courts to attain justice and “clear his name”.

“The no-confidence voting process is a similar scenario. When a court ascertains that you have done nothing wrong, you are cleared in the court of law and in the public eye,” he said.