KUALA LUMPUR – DAP has suggested that caretaker Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Ali resign from his post to allow a preferred candidate of the party’s choice to be nominated the new chief minister.
In a statement, today, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said the party’s central executive committee (CEC) takes note of the latest political development in the state after four assemblymen withdrew their support for the Perikatan Nasional (PN) state government.
“It is no secret that the PN government in Melaka has been suffering from its own internal conflicts ever since forming the government.
“Its internal rift has now spilled over and the four reps have put Melaka, and potentially the whole country, into another round of political crisis,” Khoo, who is also DAP CEC assistant organising secretary, said.
Since the PN government in Melaka has collapsed, Khoo opined that Sulaiman should have tendered his resignation immediately as he no longer has the majority in the state assembly.
“He has no position to advise for the dissolution of the state assembly.
“The Yang di-Pertua Negeri (governor) must be allowed to act independently and objectively, in accordance with the state constitution and without any undue influence or pressure from external parties,” he said.
The CEC, he said, had a meeting yesterday to discuss political developments in Melaka.
“Melaka PH chairman, Adly Zahari, was invited to brief the party leadership about the issue.
“The CEC expresses our appreciation to Adly for his explanation and views on the matter,” he said.
Khoo said the party’s CEC is against holding a state election.
“Malaysia is now recovering from the Covid-19 crisis and a statewide election may jeopardise recovery efforts.
“We must not repeat the same mistake as the Sabah election last year, which led to new waves of infections and the loss of control over the pandemic,” he said.
A new government, he said, should be formed in Melaka in accordance with the state constitution.
“The party or coalition with the majority should be given the first opportunity and invitation to form a new government.
“During the CEC meeting, the CEC has also firmly informed Adly of its preferred candidate for the chief minister position.
“The CEC reiterates that the political crisis in Melaka must be swiftly resolved so that we can refocus attention on the well-being of the people.
“The internal politicking of disgruntled politicians should not distract the country’s ongoing effort to recover from the health and economic crisis we’re facing,” he added.
By right, Melaka must face a snap election within 60 days, after Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam dissolved the state assembly effective yesterday.
In a press conference today, state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the dissolution proclamation was gazetted today.
Rauf said this is following a letter sent by outgoing chief minister Umno’s Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali to the governor informing that four assemblymen withdrew their support for the state leadership.
The four are Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Umno’s Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, independent assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Bersatu’s Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad. – The Vibes, October 5, 2021
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