Melaka Ph To Stay On Sidelines After Cm S Resignation

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Speculation is rife that Sulaiman Ali (left), who resigned as Melaka chief minister yesterday, will be succeeded by state Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh.PETALING JAYA: Melaka Pakatan Harapan will remain on the “sidelines” and monitor Umno’s next decision following the resignation of chief minister Sulaiman Ali yesterday, says a state leader.
Deputy Melaka PKR chief Rafee Ibrahim said they were aware about the “situation” in Melaka Umno while rumours of Sulaiman’s resignation had been swirling since more than six months ago.
“We’re well aware about the turmoil in Melaka Umno prior to this, and it reached its peak during the Umno elections which concluded last week.
“We will be on the sidelines to observe Umno’s decision,” he told FMT, when asked what Melaka PH’s plans were following Sulaiman’s resignation yesterday.
Sulaiman, the Lendu assemblyman, had been sworn in as Melaka’s 13th chief minister in November 2021 after Barisan Nasional won the state election.
Three days ago, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Melaka may witness the formation of a unity government soon, adding that this was in line with the unity government at the federal level.
Yesterday, Zahid confirmed that Sulaiman had resigned as chief minister.
While it is speculated that Melaka Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh is set to replace Sulaiman as chief minister, Zahid refused to confirm this.
The deputy prime minister would be seeking an audience with governor Ali Rustam to propose a new candidate for the post.
Rumours that Sulaiman would be replaced surfaced in November 2021, just after the state election, when Rauf was accused of trying to lobby top party leaders for the chief minister’s post. He was also absent when Sulaiman was sworn in.
Rauf, an executive councillor in the BN-led state government, later denied talks of any turmoil in the newly formed state government, saying Sulaiman had the backing of all Umno division chiefs.
In December, Sulaiman denied speculation that he would be resigning from the post after a report said he would be stepping down on Jan 3 to make way for Rauf. - FMT

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