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Friday, October 01, 2021

Frogs in season - Melaka state govt on verge of collapse?



Melaka state govt on verge of collapse?


Speculation is rife that Melaka chief minister (UMNO) Sulaiman Md Ali (left) may be unseated by the man he took over from, Pakatan Harapan’s Adly Zahari.

PETALING JAYA: The Umno-led Melaka state government may be on the verge of collapse.

Speculation is rife that some Barisan Nasional and Bersatu assemblymen may withdraw their support within the next few weeks, leading to a loss of majority by the government of chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

The move is said to have come after two months of negotiations between Pakatan Harapan and four state assemblymen from BN and Bersatu.

Melaka has 28 state assemblymen with 17 from the government and 11 from the opposition. Umno has 13 representatives, Bersatu two while there are two independents. The opposition comprises DAP (7), PKR (2) and Amanah (2).

The opposition needs just four crossovers to take over the government.

A source close to the matter said the talks started after rising tensions between Umno and ex-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Both Umno and Bersatu were not keen to work with one another after Umno’s decision to withdraw support from Bersatu on Aug 3.

“The four state assemblymen have confirmed their support for Pakatan Harapan. They may turn independents or join PH formally,” the source told FMT.

He said an announcement had been scheduled for this week but has been put on hold.

“Now, they are aiming to make an official announcement next week or the week after,” he said, adding that they are now waiting to meet Melaka Governor Mohd Ali Rustam.

Rembia assemblyman Muhammad Jailani Khamis, meanwhile, claimed a former chief minister was making moves to regain the post, after being booted out.

Jailani quipped that the individual was aiming for the post despite the fact that he had “lost the state” when he helmed the position.

“Personal vanity overcomes rationality. The former chief minister wants to become chief minister again,” he told FMT.

Jailani, the state executive councillor for tourism, heritage and culture committee, joined Umno in January after being kicked out of PKR in March 2020. He served as an independent assemblyman for nine months.


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