PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali has stepped down as Melaka chief minister, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president said this during an event organised by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry at Masjid Al-Falah, Kampung Lebu in Bentong on Wednesday (March 29).
Sulaiman, 56, who is Lendu assemblyman, was sworn in as the 12th Melaka Chief Minister on March 9, 2020 after the Pakatan Harapan-led state government collapsed.
However, he faced various obstacles during his tenure.
He faced an attempt to oust him on Oct 4, 2021, when four assemblymen withdrew their support for the Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional-led state government.
This led to the state election in Nov 21, 2021, where Barisan secured a thumping victory and he became the 13th Melaka chief minister.
There was another speculation about another attempt to oust Sulaiman in July 2022 by calling for a no-confidence vote against him in during the state legislative assembly meeting – but this never materialised.
Earlier Wednesday, Sulaiman's aides were seen packing their belongings at their office and sources told The Star that Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh would be sworn in as the new chief minister.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place at 3pm on Friday (March 31).
