Melaka Umno chief rubbishes talk of rift over CM post

Melaka Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh has dismissed rumours about opposition from within Umno to the appointment of Sulaiman Md Ali as chief minister.

He said all Umno division chiefs in Melaka are in full support of the appointment.

“I would like to state that we have no problems, we have together secured a stable government. So I reject the notion that there is a rift among us over the post of chief minister.

“All of us (Umno division chiefs), including myself as state Umno chairman, will fully support Sulaiman’s leadership as the Melaka chief minister,” he said at a press conference in Alor Gajah yesterday.

He said the appointment reflected the trust of the Melaka people and that with the cooperation of all Umno division chiefs, they would prepare for the 15th general election (GE15).

“The focus now is on the new government administration, and we have no issues as we have a stable government,” he said.

Sulaiman was sworn in as the new chief minister early yesterday, after Barisan Nasional won 21 of the 28 seats contested in the state election.

He told reporters that he was sworn in earlier than scheduled because he had urgent matters to attend to, including a meeting of the Conference of Rulers.