KUALA LUMPUR – “Saya baru balik dari luar. Tiada jumpa Datuk Seri Sulaiman. Salah orang agaknya.” (I just got back from outside. I did not meet Datuk Seri Sulaiman. Wrong person I guess.)
This message from Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh ended an hours-long wild goose chase by members of political parties hoping to catch the Election Commission (EC) chairman in a clandestine meeting with Melaka caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali today.
This afternoon was abuzz with talks of a secret meeting between the two men after nominations for the state election earlier today, with certain parties opposed to Umno hoping to prove that the EC is biased.
Reporters were initially informed that a meeting was held at Menara Persekutuan, Ayer Keroh.
However, information was later received that motorcades were headed to AMES Hotel.
According to those there, cars allegedly belonging to Sulaiman and the EC chairman were spotted at the venue.
However, it is understood that there was no meeting scheduled between the two men – although The Vibes was informed that both Sulaiman and Ghani left the hotel within ten minutes of each other.
The EC has made the hotel its home for the next two weeks until the election – which is scheduled for November 20 – ends.
EC head of corporate communications Mohammad Azlan Charles Abdullah said Ghani’s schedule for the day was packed with interviews with different media publications.
“There is no meeting with anyone. It is not in Ghani’s schedule,” he said.
“But it is not uncommon for Ghani to meet with VIPs. Perhaps they bumped into each other in the lift? But it is definitely not part of today’s programme,” he added.
Ghani has since responded to The Vibes this afternoon, denying any meeting with Sulaiman to date. – The Vibes, November 8, 2021
Additional reporting by Amar Shah Mohsen
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