KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 — The fleeting political crisis in Terengganu reeks of “dirty politics” which must be exposed, election reform group, Bersih 2.0 said today.

In a statement, Bersih 2.0 said it is disturbed by how the Terengganu political crisis transpired, from the sudden resignation of the former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said through the resolution to the momentarily hung state assembly.

“BERSIH 2.0 urges anyone who knows of any attempt to buy or sell political affiliation with monetary gain — especially using public funds or other concessions — to blow the whistle as corruption of such order will definitely destroy the country,” it said.

Ahmad Said quit Umno on Monday just hours after he was forced to step down as Terengganu mentri besar mid-term.

Ajil assemblyman Ghazali Taib followed suit while Bukit Besi assemblyman Roslee Daud reportedly handed in his letter yesterday morning, leaving BN with just 14 seats in the 32-seat assembly.

But in a twist last night, Roslee retracted his resignation from Umno and Ahmad Said is also reportedly back in the fold after a telephone chat with Prime minister Najib Razak, restoring BN’s majority in the state.

“The whole affair stinks of not only dirty politics but also party politics taking precedence over governance. Politicians must be reminded that holding public office is not a personal benefit but a responsibility to fellow citizens,” Bersih 2.0 added.

It warned that such situations could arise again, adding that the correct recourse would be to trigger fresh elections.

“BERSIH 2.0 disagrees with suggestion that the Palace may summon lawmakers to determine whether the government still enjoys the confidence of majority lawmakers, for it will drag the constitutional monarch into partisan politics and tarnish its above-the-fray image,” it said.