KUALA LUMPUR – Melaka Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh says he will leave it to the wisdom of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam to solve the current political crisis facing the state.
Speaking at a press conference together with embattled Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, the state speaker also lamented the “betrayal” in the withdrawal of support by the four state assemblymen, led by former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Harun.
“We built this Malay-Muslim government for the past 19 months. We had a good performance, but it was finally shaken by political pressure so this group can get what they want.
“I look at this crisis as a challenge to Melaka’s political landscape and the national level in general.
“The federal government was ready to cooperate with any political parties and a memorandum of understanding was signed, but they ignored what was written in it to pressure the state government and topple it.
“Therefore, together with the rest of our assemblymen, we ask that the Tuan Yang di-Pertua will exercise his wisdom to resolve this political impasse,” said Rauf.
Earlier today, four state assemblymen formally withdrew support for the state leadership, citing loss of confidence in the chief minister’s handling of the government.
The four are former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sg Udang-BN), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-Independent), and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-Bersatu).
Sulaiman also expressed his confusion over the assemblymen’s decision to withdraw their support, saying that he had always tried to help them and grant their requests under his administration.
“Whatever was asked, whatever was requested, I did my best to help. When I was accused of doing otherwise…I don’t know what to say. I’ve always given them what they needed.
“So when the announcement was made today, I left the decision to move forward to the state liaison chief (Rauf) and the Barisan Nasional chairman to determine the government’s direction,” said Sulaiman.
He further added that all decisions at the exco level were made collectively and encountered no objections.
Rauf then heatedly told the media that if the four assemblymen were unhappy over anything, they should have raised the issue during the exco meetings instead of simply pulling the rug from under Sulaiman’s feet.
During an earlier press conference, Idris said they had all submitted letters retracting their support for Azman’s leadership.
“The four of us would like to announce our loss of confidence in Sulaiman’s leadership as well as the whole present state government line-up,” he said at a press conference today.
It was later reported by The Malay Mail that Melaka Pakatan Harapan has called for a meeting with state governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam to discuss the future of the state. – The Vibes, October 4, 2021
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