KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 ― Barisan Nasional (BN) lost its third Umno assemblyman in Terengganu today, forcing the ruling pact to lose its majority in the 32-seat state assembly.

According to several news reports, Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud quit Umno this morning, following in the footsteps of ex-Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib to become independent representatives.

The Star Online said Roslee's resignation was confirmed by an aide to Ahmad, who also claimed that more resignations will follow suit.

The decision leaves BN with just 14 seats in Terengganu to Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) 15, and three independents.

Should the trio decide to become PR-friendly independents, the opposition pact would then hold greater sway over BN's weakened grasp over the east coast state.

The situation is reminiscent of the Perak crisis in 2009 when the defections of three PR assemblymen to become BN-friendly independents saw the former pact lose the northern state.

Ghazali, 51, reportedly told a friend late yesterday evening that Ahmad might join PAS and he would follow.

The Malay Mail Online understands that PAS's Terengganu leadership will be holding an emergency meeting on the crisis today at an unconfirmed time.

Ahmad quit Umno to become an independent assemblyman late yesterday shortly after he stepped down as mentri besar, plunging the state administration into a political crisis. Ghazali announced his resignation shortly after Ahmad.

“Please be informed that I am resigning my position in the party effective immediately. I am also declaring my exit from Umno to be an independent representative for the state constituency of Kijal,” the 57-year-old wrote in a letter dated May 12, 2014 and addressed to Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The letter, published by Malay satellite broadcaster, Astro Awani on its website early this morning, did not state any reason for Ahmad’s departure from the ruling party in the BN coalition.

Ahmad’s resignation from Umno was announced after Seberang Takir assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman was sworn in last night as the new Terengganu mentri besar.

Ahmad, who was reappointed Terengganu mentri besar for a second term on May 9 last year, was forced to step down from office mid-term, reportedly due to the BN’s weakest polls performance in a decade.

BN barely kept the state government with 17 state seats against Pakatan Rakyat’s 15 seats in Election 2013.