Is the Malacca Harapan gov't at risk of collapse?

Speculation is rife that the Pakatan Harapan Malacca state government is on the brink of collapse with two state exco members reportedly working with Umno to form a new administration.

At a press conference this afternoon, Chief Minister Adly Zahari denied this.

However, well-placed sources close to the state government and Harapan leadership told Malaysiakini that the threat might be real.

The sources pointed the finger at state Bersatu's Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen and Noor Effandi Ahmad.

Contacted later, Rafiq (photo), who is also Malacca Bersatu deputy chief, denied the allegation.

"For Malacca Bersatu's part, I can confirm there are no such plans by any state exco from Bersatu to do a no-confidence vote against the state chief minister.

"But I can't speak for excos from other parties, that you can ask their respective leaders," he told Malaysiakini.

Effandi has not responded to requests for comment.

However, he and 13 other Malacca Harapan assemblypersons issued a joint statement voicing support for Adly.

"We reject any efforts to undermine the people's mandate and is an affront to democratic principles through elections.

"We give full support and trust to Adly to continue leading Malacca and fulfil Harapan's promises," they said.

Following the last general election, Harapan formed the state government with a mere two-seat majority. The coalition has 15 seats (DAP 8, PKR 3, Amanah 2, Bersatu 2) while BN has 13.

Even a single defection from Harapan would lead to a hung state assembly.

Rafiq heads one of two key factions in Malacca Bersatu, with the other led by state chairperson Mohd Redzuan Yusof, who is also the entrepreneurship development minister.

Though at odds, the two are said to be currying favour with party chairperson, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Report: Plan to be put in motion at next sitting

According to The Malaysian Insight, the plan would be put in motion during next month's state assembly sitting by rejecting the state budget tabled by the chief minister.

The plot is said to be an offshoot of larger efforts to keep Mahathir in office for a full term, with a government made up of Bersatu, PKR lawmakers aligned to party deputy president Azmin Ali, BN, and PAS.

Sources told Malaysiakini that those allegedly involved in the federal plot include Azmin, Redzuan, Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin, and former Umno vice-president Hishamuddin Hussein.

Hishammuddin and Redzuan have denied these allegations. Azmin, meanwhile, has voiced support for Mahathir to stay on for a full term.

Although Rafiq denied the existence of a coup in the making, two days ago, he had urged Bersatu to reconsider its alliance with DAP if the latter's members do not cease attacking Mahathir and Bersatu.

Besides Rafiq and Effendi, a source alleged that those working to change the state government had also approached PKR exco member Ginie Lim.

Lim (photo), who is said to be aligned to Azmin, however, dismissed the allegation as "total nonsense."

"This is the first time I am hearing this, no one has approached me for anything," she told Malaysiakini.

She said the Malacca government was at the present preoccupied with preparing for the state's 2020 budget and that there has been no indication of rifts within the exco lineup.

"This is hearsay or speculation by those who want to destabilise the state government," she said, adding that they were focused on carrying out their duties for the people.

DAP exco: This is just 'air kosong'

Likewise, two state exco members from DAP also denied there was such a plot when contacted.

"This is just political talk, nothing to it, just like a glass of air kosong (plain water)," said Norhizam Hassan Baktee (photo, below).

"There is no such plan by any exco within Harapan, be it from DAP, Bersatu and our other partners. No such issue," he added.

DAP's Kerk Chee Yee, on the other hand, said although he had not heard of such a move, attempts to topple the current state government would be a "huge betrayal" of the people's trust in Harapan.

Malacca PKR chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, who is aligned to party president Anwar Ibrahim, urged the chief minister to investigate the matter.

"This is a treacherous act, I urge the chief minister to investigate whether such a move reminiscent of the Perak fiasco exists. Those involved must be sacked from the party," he told Malaysiakini.

However, he said the Malacca excos and state Harapan leadership "have shown their solid support to the chief minister where Malacca has fulfilled more than half of the election promises.”

Meanwhile, Malacca Harapan Youth leaders from all four parties also banded together to support Adly as chief minister.

"Malacca Harapan Youth strongly rejects any efforts towards building a unity or backdoor government," they said. - Mkini