AYER KEROH: Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali is expected to resign tomorrow, paving the way for Melaka Umno chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to take over.

It is understood that the decision was made following a meeting between the Masjid Tanah Umno deputy chief and Lendu assemblyman with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The issue of the change of the chief minister started a few months after Barisan Nasional's big win in the state election on November 20, 2021.

Melaka Umno internal sources said that the oath taking ceremony by Rauf is expected to be held on Friday in front of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam

When contacted, Rauf declined to comment on the matter.

"Has there been an official confirmation? I refuse to comment further until the official information," said Rauf.

This morning, Sulaiman chaired the Exco meeting at his office in Seri Negeri before attending several discussions with his officer before he is scheduled to attend the Melaka Umno Liaison Committee meeting later today.

It is understood that the meeting will be chaired by Rauf, who is the state Industrial, Investment and Entrepreneur Development Exco member, and is expected to discuss several issues including the controversy regarding the election of the Tangga Batu chief recently.

The Tangga Batu issue involved the win by Datuk Rais Yasin as the new division chief which was initially announced as void by the division leadership but was later overturned by Zahid.

On Monday, Zahid confirmed that the Melaka state administration structure will change with the formation of the unity government in the state.

He was reported as saying that even though Melaka had conducted its state election earlier, the state has yet to form a unity government like the one at the federal level.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/894207/sulaiman-resign-melaka-cm-tomorrow-rauf-take-over