Sulaiman denies rift with Ab Rauf, after talk of power tussle

 

Melaka leaders Sulaiman Md Ali and Ab Rauf Yusoh are at the centre of fresh talk of a power struggle.

PETALING JAYA: Long-standing talk of a rift between Melaka chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali and state Barisan Nasional leader Ab Rauf Yusoh has surfaced again after a challenge by an opposition politician.

Sulaiman said today he had no problems with Ab Rauf and they enjoyed a cordial relationship. “I do not like to comment on rumours,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference in Ayer Keroh.

He had been asked about a challenge by Ayer Keroh assemblyman Kerk Chee Yee of DAP who said all 21 BN assembly members in Melaka should voice their support for Sulaiman as the Chief Minister to prove that his administration was stable.

Kerk, a former executive councillor, quoted a news report about internal squabbling in Melaka Umno, in which Sulaiman was allegedly to be facing a power struggle with policy decisions being made without his consent.

Last November, after the state elections, Rauf had been accused of trying to lobby top party leaders to be named for the Melaka chief minister’s post. He was absent when Sulaiman was sworn in .

BN sources told FMT that the coalition was aware of Rauf’s unhappiness but said “everything is under control”. One party source said there was no threat at all to the new government with all BN elected representatives committed to ensuring political stability in the state.

Ab Rauf had since denied talk of any turmoil in the newly-formed state government, saying Sulaiman had the backing of all Umno division chiefs. - FMT