Working hand in hand: Ahmad Zahid (centre) stirring a pot of bubur lambuk with Perak National Unity and Integration Department director Mansor Mohd Hashim (left) at the Gerak Rahmah 2023: Jom Masak Bubur Lambuk event at the Hutan Melintang housing area. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Newly-minted Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has pledged to include leaders from political parties under the unity government to be part of the new state executive council, which he will announce today.
This comes after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said it was important for the line-up to reflect the unity government at the federal level.
Discussions would be held with Ab Rauf first before any decision is made, said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno president, in Bagan Datuk, Perak.
“I want the exco line-up to contain the composition of the unity government.
“Although in Melaka, Barisan and Umno control the state government, it would be good if the Melaka exco reflects togetherness and power-sharing with the state assemblymen (state assembly members) who were elected by the people in the unity government,” he told Bernama at the Ramadan 1444H Tadarus Al-Quran Perdana ceremony for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency level yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid also said the political stability in Melaka would help the unity government win the six upcoming state elections.
The Bagan Datuk MP had earlier inaugurated the Perak-level Gerak Rahmah 2023: Jom Masak Bubur Lambuk at the Hutan Melintang public housing area.
The programme, organised by the National Unity and National Integration Department, was carried out simultaneously throughout the country yesterday.
In Perak, almost 300 Rukun Tetangga areas (KRT) participated in the programme with 14 of them from Bagan Datuk KRT.
Earlier, Ab Rauf gave his assurance that the Melaka exco line-up will accommodate various interests.
“I will ensure that the newly-formed exco line-up is inclusive and reflective of the unity government in Putrajaya,” he said in a Facebook post on Friday after he was sworn in that afternoon.
He also said all ongoing plans and developments beneficial to the people would be continued to stimulate the state’s economy.
“This state government is pro-business and pro-reform,” said Ab Rauf, adding that Melakans were hungry for development, and many want to see better hospitals and school facilities, as well as business and employment opportunities.
Ab Rauf also said the state government’s 100-day plan included generating more investments and employment in the state.
“Melaka also needs better infrastructure, which includes better water supply and roads.
“The new Melaka government will be a unity government formed based on consensus among political parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf also thanked Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam for presiding over his swearing-in as the 13th chief minister.
He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Ahmad Zahid for entrusting him as the new chief minister.
“I pledge to carry out this duty with full commitment to develop our beloved state,” said Ab Rauf, who also thanked Datuk Seri Sulaiman Ali, who has led Melaka since March 2020.
On March 29, Ahmad Zahid announced that Sulaiman had stepped down as chief minister.
Sulaiman was sworn in as the 12th Melaka chief minister on March 9, 2020, after the former Pakatan Harapan administration collapsed.
