MELAKA – Despite Barisan Nasional (BN)’s thumping victory in Melaka in November, questions have begun to emerge over chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali’s administration in the historical state.
According to several insiders with knowledge of the matter, it is learnt that Sulaiman continues to be embroiled in an internal tussle within Melaka Umno over several key issues in the state.
Sulaiman had survived the state election virtually unscathed, with BN winning 21 out of 28 state seats.
The election was triggered after four assemblymen from the PN-BN coalition government had declared their non-support for his leadership.
A source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the 57-year-old is facing a fresh wave of a power tussle, given that several key policy decisions were being made without his consent.
“He has grown so frustrated that he could just vacate his Lendu state seat, which would result in a state by-election.
“He is currently in the position of a leader with no powers.
“Many of his key decisions have been intercepted or made difficult to execute. As such, others are viewing him as a lameduck CM,” the source added.
It is learnt that among the issues which have called his leadership into question is the debate in the state assembly over the proposal to change the name of the iconic St Paul’s Hill to Bukit Melaka, which was protested by the state’s DAP assemblymen due to the site’s historical value.
According to another source, while Sulaiman was also apparently not keen on the name change, a debate took place despite his decision to sidestep the issue for now.
The source also pointed out the delayed appointment of city councillors for no apparent reasons as another one of the issues faced by the Sulaiman-led administration.
Sulaiman is also facing an uphill task on appointing government-linked company heads and village heads, let alone the earlier appointments of state executive councillors.
In yet another sign of uneasy tides within the BN fold, Sulaiman was also apparently absent during a ceremony to mark the handover of the controversial Melaka Gateway reclamation project to its original developer.
“Rumours on the attempt to oust the chief minister are now being heavily circulated among the political circles.
“Sulaiman was used by BN to win the Melaka election due to his popularity among the grassroots, but now it is different,” the source said.
Sulaiman had initially survived the first attempt to oust him by a former BN/Perikatan Nasional assemblyman in July before the string of defections ensued in September.
He was sworn in the wee hours of the morning on November 21 after speculation emerged that there might be other candidates suitable for the post.
It is learnt that Tanjung Bidara assemblyman and state exco Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh remains an influential figure within Melaka Umno and the state administration.
Rauf had reportedly denied playing the “big brother” role to Sulaiman in the aftermath of the Melaka election and had pledged to assist the chief minister in administering the state.
However, Rauf’s name, said the source, continues to be peddled as the possible successor to Sulaiman, should the latter step down from his post.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman’s predecessor Adly Zahari, who is the state Amanah chairman, said that the opposition is pretty aware of the difficulty that Sulaiman is facing relating to governance issues.
“It is a new government. We need to give them time to get their act in order.
“We are giving them a grace period of six months before we will begin drumming up issues which are left unresolved,” he said, when contacted.
He added that there is no point in winning an election only to end up being incapable of administering the state effectively.
Responding to the issue, DAP’s Kota Laksamana assemblyman Low Chee Leong said that this issue was not a rift between the BN-led state government and the opposition, but a sincere concern of wanting a government which can deliver and govern the state well in times of a pandemic and economic slowdown.
“How come Sulaiman wasn’t present during a major announcement (Melaka Gateway reclamation project handover)?
“This clearly shows that our chief minister is gradually being sidelined.
“We accept the outcome of the last state election. Now, we must fulfil our promises made to the electorate, but it is difficult if the government side is embroiled in infighting,” he said when contacted.
The Vibes is trying to reach out to Sulaiman for a comment. – The Vibes, March 14, 2022
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