Terengganu exco members are expected to be sworn in this Sunday together with their new Menteri Besar, Ahmad Said. The ceremony is expected to take place at Istana Maziah in Kuala Terengganu.

It is believed that Ahmad is in Putrajaya today to submit a list of exco members to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for approval.

He is expected to head back to Kuala Terengganu after Friday prayers. It is unsure if former menteri besar Idris Jusoh would be part of the new exco lineup. Idris is still the state's Umno chief.

Following the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, the exco is expected to hold its first meeting next Wednesday.

terengganu and ahmad said and umno Ahmad was appointed as menteri besar by the Terengganu palace last Sunday and he assumed his post on Tuesday. The palace clarified that his swearing-in could wait until the exco lineup has been finalised.

His appointment was initially objected by Abdullah and Idris but last night Umno decided to back down and support the palace-backed Ahmad. The party also directed Idris to support Ahmad.

Previously 22 BN state representatives have openly supported Idris to be retained as menteri besar. He assumed the post after wrestling the state from PAS in the 2004 general election.

In the recently concluded election, the Idris-led BN won 24 out of 32 state seats. PAS won the remaining eight.

After Umno’s green light for Ahmad yesterday, the 22 state representatives are now expected to indicate their willingness to work with the new menteri besar.

Political observers say most of the state representatives had been silently supporting Ahmad. They also note that Umno’s change of heart must have come following Abdullah’s meeting with Yang di-Peruan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin - who is also the Sultan of Terengganu - on Wednesday.

Sultan’s grand welcome

sultan mizan 13th king agung 131206 family Meanwhile, in Terengganu, the support for the sultan has been on the rise with many placards and banners being put up across the state. The sultan is scheduled to return to his state tomorrow.

More than 10,000 people are expected to welcome the sultan at the Sultan Mahmud Airport upon his arrival.

Chairperson of the Majlis Permuafakatan Rakyat Terengganu (Mampat) Mohamad Fauzi Haron said the welcoming ceremony was to show undivided support of the Terengganu people towards the sultan.

"We hope the people of Terengganu will come out in full force to welcome His Majesty's homecoming on Saturday," he told reporters.

Mampat recently launched a signature campaign to show the Terengganu people's loyalty to the sultan in the appointment of the state's Menteri Besar. Some 2,000 people have already pledged their loyalty in the campaign.