KOTA BARU: Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob today hinted that he is ready to let go of the post which he has held since 2013.
He said this to a crown of some 500 participants at the gathering of Ladang Rakyat 2023 here today.
The Pasir Pekan assemblyman cited age as the reason for him to step down from the menteri besar post.
"It has become the state government's policy to emphasise religious and academic education to the people since the beginning.
"To govern a state, the administrator must understand that religion determines the life and death of people.
"I am 73 now. Therefore, it is time we need to find a replacement," said Ahmad while smiling to the audience.
Also present was his deputy Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Ahmad said it was his dream to see young Kelantanese become great in the future.
"The state government has successfully produced many successful Kelantan students who have furthered their studies outside the state.
"Some of our religious students are also studying overseas. This has made the state government proud," he added.
The former teacher become the Kelantan menteri besar in 2013, replacing Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
There have been rumours that Ahmad wanted to leave his post after the upcoming state ellection.
Efforts to interview both Ahmad and Mohd Amar after the programme were unsuccessful as both left the event immediately to attend an urgent meeting with Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.