BN and Umno will support former CM Sulaiman in helming Melaka caretaker govt, says Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional and Umno will continue to support Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali's leadership of the Melaka caretaker government, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

At the same time, he said the two Umno assemblymen whose actions led to the state government's collapse have been issued termination letters from the party.

"My advice to Sulaiman and those who will be assisting him is to give priority to the welfare of the rakyat of Melaka irrespective of race or religion, rural or urban.

"The main priority should be on health and fighting the Covid-19 pandemic," the Barisan chairman and Umno president said at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 5).

Ahmad Zahid also said those responsible for causing the collapse of the state government should not be included in Sulaiman's caretaker team.

On Tuesday (Oct 5), Melaka Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof confirmed that Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam had agreed to dissolve the assembly.

This came after former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and three other assemblymen – Pantai Kundor’s Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Umno), Telok Mas’ Noor Effandi Ahmad (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) and Pengkalan Batu’s Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent) – announced that they had lost confidence in Sulaiman's leadership on Monday (Oct 4).

Ahmad Zahid said he would leave it to the Election Commission (EC) to decide on the polling date following the dissolution of the state assembly.

"I hope the EC will hold discussions with the National Security Council and Health Ministry to determine if the state election can be held within the stipulated time frame," he said.

He noted that the EC could adopt a similar path as when it postponed the Sarawak state polls, supposed to be held in June, owing to the pandemic.

Based on the Melaka state constitution, polls must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of the assembly.

Ahmad Zahid said Barisan and Umno would go ahead and identify "fresh faces" to stand for election.

"It is still to early to finalise matters as it is not certain if the polls will be held.

"Nevertheless, we will still go ahead with identifying candidates," he added.

He said potential candidates must have a new approach in regaining voters' confidence.

On Idris and Nor Azman's standing in the party, Ahmad Zahid said termination letters had been issued.

"They should be prepared to face the consequences," he said, reminding Umno leaders and members to remain loyal to the party.

On Monday, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Barisan and Umno chief, announced that Idris and Nor Azman's memberships were automatically nullified after they exited the state government.

Earlier on Tuesday, Idris had insisted he was still an Umno member, saying that only the supreme council could terminate his membership.