Ab Rauf nominated to be next Melaka chief minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Melaka Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has been nominated as the next Melaka chief minister, confirms Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president said that he had submitted the nomination to Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.

"I have submitted a letter to the Melaka governor after receiving Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali's resignation.

"With this, our party had proposed Datuk Seri Rauf as the next Melaka chief minister. Fullstop," he told reporters after chairing a meeting at the Parliament building on Thursday (March 30).

Asked to reveal the reason for Sulaiman's resignation, Ahmad Zahid said that it was due to health reasons.

Pressed to explain on the composition of the state excos under the new chief minister, he said the matter had been discussed and it would reflect the spirit of the unity government at the federal level.

"That is why we want to take the spirit of the unity government which is seen harmonious at the federal level.

"I am confident that the same spirit will be brought to Melaka in order for a better optic not only for the state but for all Malaysians," he said.

The swearing-in ceremony for Melaka's new Chief Minister will be held at 3pm on Friday (March 31), said state secretary Datuk Wira Zaidi Johari.

He said the ceremony would be held at the main hall of the Yang-Di Pertua Negeri office in Ayer Keroh here.

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.