Bahari accepts possibility of being dropped from Kelantan exco

Bersatu’s Gual Ipoh assemblyman Bahari Nor says he has accepted that he could suffer the same fate as Ayer Lanas assemblyman Kamarudin Nor and be dropped from the Kelantan state executive council.

Bahari, who is deputy exco for youth, sports, NGOs and community unity, said he was carrying out his duties as usual and had yet to receive any official notification, Berita Harian reported.

“As announced by deputy menteri besar Fadzli Hassan, who said that my position and that of Paloh assemblyman Shaari Mat Hussain would be decided next week, we will wait until then.

“But essentially, we already have an idea of what the decision will be, given that we are from Bersatu.

“Nevertheless, until I receive an official letter, I will continue carrying out my duties as usual. I accept whatever decision the state government makes and will not dispute it,” he was quoted as saying.

Shaari is deputy exco for agriculture, agro-food industry and commodities.

The other remaining Bersatu representative in the Kelantan state assembly is Almidi Jaafar, the Bukit Bunga assemblyman. However, Almidi was suspended by the party for two terms in May.

Kok Lanas assemblyman Farid Zawawi was sacked by Bersatu in May and subsequently joined Wawasan.

Yesterday, Fadzli confirmed that Kamarudin Nor, the Kelantan Bersatu chief, had ceased to serve as a state executive councilor effective Nov 9.

He said the tourism, culture, arts and heritage portfolio previously held by Kamarudin would be split, with Hilmi Abdullah taking over tourism and arts while Zamakhshari Muhamad oversees heritage and culture.

Rumours that his appointment could be terminated began circulating early this week, amid political tensions between PAS and Bersatu.

The development followed a breakdown in cooperation between the two Perikatan Nasional component parties, after PAS announced on June 8 that it was ending its political cooperation with Bersatu.

Kamarudin said he had received several offers to remain part of the state’s administration but “chose to stick with the party”.

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