PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh is willing to accept any decision deemed to be in the interests of the rakyat, including forgoing the post of Terengganu menteri besar.

In a brief but charged press conference in Subang yesterday, Idris said he was prepared to apologise to Sultan of Terengganu and Yang diPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin if he "had done anything wrong".

"As a Muslim, I am aware of the need to apologise if one has made a mistake, although I had already apologised to him when I submitted the state candidate list on Feb 23," he added.

Idris' promise of an apology to Tuanku Mizan was repeated many times throughout the press conference.

Asked whether he needed to apologise for anything specific, he reiterated: "That's what I said, I will apologise at any time if I have done anything wrong.



"I am also willing to accept any decision which the leadership feels is in the best interests of the rakyat.

"I respect the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy."

Asked whether his acceptance would include not being re-appointed menteri besar, Idris responded: "If that is in the rakyat's interests."

On whether he would accept Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said as the new MB, Idris repeated: "If that is in the rakyat's interests."

Idris, the state Umno liaison committee chairman, said he had not had the opportunity to meet Tuanku Mizan since Feb 23. His audience with Tuanku Mizan on March 9 was postponed at the last minute.

He reminded Terengganu residents to be rational. "We must accept decisions made by the leaders. Don't riot, we have to be calm."

Idris, the menteri besar before the dissolution of the state government in preparation for the 12th general election, was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's choice to be menteri besar after Barisan Nasional's March 8 polls victory.

On Sunday, however, the Regency Advisory Council issued Datuk Ahmad Said a letter of appointment, appointing him menteri besar.

This led to an uproar by Idris' supporters, 22 assemblymen who said they would boycott Ahmad's swearing in.

They also warned Ahmad he would face stern action if he accepted the post.

Asked for his opinion on the view held by certain parties that the assemblymen were disrespectful (derhaka) of Tuanku Mizan, Idris replied: "I don't want to comment."

Yesterday's press conference, which lasted 20 minutes, saw reporters bombarding Idris with questions.

His aides, who attempted to cut short the event by calling out that it was time for the last question, were drowned out by the reporters' voices.

The event ended abruptly when those present, some of whom were the 22 assemblymen, broke into applause, effectively shutting up reporters.