Why the need for a new chief minister, ask Melaka folk

FMT:

Why the need for a new chief minister, ask Melaka folk

They say Sulaiman Ali has done a good job and should have stayed on until the end of term.

Ab Rauf Yusoh has been named as Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Melaka chief minister’s post.


MELAKA: Many in the state are perplexed about the sudden resignation of chief minister Sulaiman Ali after only two years holding the post.

Those met by FMT said Sulaiman had been doing a good job and this unnecessary change could potentially affect Melaka’s economy.

Trader Hassan Omar, 52, said Sulaiman was popular and should have stayed on until the next election.

“He is someone who’s religious and has good principles so I don’t understand why there is a need to change.

Hassan Omar.

“Since the people like him, perhaps they should just wait until the next election to replace the chief minister,” he told FMT.

Hassan said if the chief minister kept changing, Melaka’s economy would not have a chance to grow.

Barber Kuhan Raj, 26, also agreed with Hassan that Sulaiman should have stayed on until the end of his term.

“We played our role by casting our votes but then these people in power keep making decisions among themselves.”

Retiree Haji Yunus, 56, said the decision to change the chief minister was a political move and not the will of the people.

“Sulaiman has no issues. Maybe Umno felt that (Tanjung Bidara assemblyman) Ab Rauf Yusoh has more experience, hence they picked him. So we just have to accept it.

“The whole political saga which led to Melaka having an early state election in 2021 was due to internal politics, so we hope we won’t have to face it again.”

Janice Foo, 24, said as a voter she could not do much but just watch from the sidelines.

“This is out of our control. But honestly I am still puzzled over why there is a need to change the chief minister.

“I may not be very knowledgeable when it comes to politics but my peers and family members have always said Sulaiman has done a good job,” said the fresh graduate.

Sulaiman was sworn in as chief minister in November 2021, after Barisan Nasional won the Melaka state elections. He resigned as chief minister yesterday.

Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed today that Rauf would be the coalition’s candidate for the post.

Zahid said he had submitted Rauf’s name to Melaka governor Ali Rustam. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place tomorrow at 3pm.