Idris Haron denies talk of Umno reps defecting to Pakatan in Melaka

MELAKA: A minority of Melaka Umno lawmakers can’t simply influence a bigger group (Pakatan Harapan leaders) to change the state government, says Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

The Sungai Udang assemblyman said any decision reached on alleged attempts to topple the state government should be through consensus with the majority holding the ascendancy to sway the smaller group.

“Two tigers cannot share the same mountain,” he said, quoting a Chinese proverb when asked about a report claiming the alleged attempt to oust Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali was not initiated by Pakatan Harapan and had been sparked due to internal problems within Melaka Umno.

Idris, who is also the Melaka Rural Development, Flood Management and Green Technology Committee chairman, is alleged to be one of the four Umno lawmakers allegedly planning a coup against the current state administration by working with Pakatan leaders in the state.

However, Idris declined to elaborate when asked if he had met with Pakatan leaders in the recent move to overthrow Sulaiman.

“Changing a government is not like changing shirts.

“It’s not true (whatever was speculated),” Idris replied in a message to The Star on Sunday (Oct 3).

Idris also denied that there was a crossover by the four Umno lawmakers to Pakatan’s fold.

He also declined to respond to a question on rumours that one leader of a party within Pakatan had planned the coup to return into power.

On Friday (Oct 1), a purported attempt to oust Sulaiman as the Chief Minister fizzled out following intense internal conflict within a political party, causing the move to fail.

Four DAP assemblymen are said to have pulled their support from the group trying to force Sulaiman out.

In what is believed to be the second bid to depose Sulaiman by leaders in the state, the plan did not materialise due to differences within Melaka DAP, with the four refusing to work with those who had betrayed them in the previous Pakatan Harapan-led administration.

The first attempt emerged earlier in August.

However, a Perikatan Nasional insider told The Star that any outcomes on the change of the state government could only be affirmed on Monday (Oct 4).

“Anything can happen at the eleventh hour but so far it looks safe for Sulaiman,”he said.