KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk-BN) has proposed the dissolution of the Melaka assembly and for a snap election to be held to determine a new, legitimate government.
This follows the decision of four state assemblymen to withdraw their support for the state leadership, citing loss of confidence in the chief minister, Umno’s Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
“I don’t mind losing a state government that was led by my party, but let’s wait first,” he said when debating the 12th Malaysia Plan in Parliament today.
“I think it is better to hold a new state election so the Melaka assembly can be dissolved and we can return the mandate to the rakyat to choose the best government to administer the state.”
In a press conference earlier today, former chief minister and Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Idris Haron had said the four assemblymen had submitted letters retracting their support to Sulaiman.
The other three are Umno’s Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, independent assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, and Bersatu’s Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad.
Speculations are now rife that this will lead to the fall of the Barisan Nasional state government.
So far, there is no indication if a new chief minister will be appointed or if a unity government will be formed, with Idris saying it is up to the state opposition to decide if it wishes to cooperate in forming a new administration.
In Parliament, Zahid expressed hope that what transpired in Melaka will not repeat itself in Parliament.
However, it is worth noting that Zahid had previously led a group of Umno MPs to withdraw support for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN), effectively causing the Perikatan Nasional government to collapse in August.
Umno’s Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) has since been appointed as the country’s ninth prime minister.
On a separate issue, Zahid has urged the government to set up a special scheme that will see all highway concessionaires merged into one entity, and with toll rates nationwide reduced by at least 30%.
“This (reduction) should be done not by extending the concessions, but through a scheme to restructure and merge the concessionaires… In the end, this will reduce the burden of the government and the companies, and profit road users.” – The Vibes, October 4, 2021
