Power play for Melaka's CM post intensifies

 

Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali (left) and Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

By JOCELINE TAN

THERE may be a new Chief Minister in Melaka soon, even though the two men at the centre of the power struggle keep denying that anything unusual is going on.

The two, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali and Datuk Seri Rauf Yusoh, who is aspiring for the post, were best buddies but is it possible to remain friends when one is trying to push the other out?

Rumours of Sulaiman resigning the top job have been going around for the past year and resurface as regularly as once every couple of months.

Most rumours die away after a while but this one has simply refused to disappear.

The most recent wave of rumours that surfaced about a week ago was quite different from previous ones.

It had details like when Sulaiman would be quitting, changes in the state exco line-up and that the resignation letter had been sent to the Melaka Governor and Umno president.

It claimed that Sulaiman was stepping down for health reasons.

These rumours could have been triggered by Sulaiman going on vacation last month, leaving Rauf, who is in charge of the powerful investment, industry and development portfolio, as the acting chief minister.

On top of all this, came a video of Rauf and his beautiful second wife all dressed-up for a night out.

The video anointed Rauf as "bakal ketua menteri Melaka," and hailed the "incoming chief minister" as "gallant and dashing".

Sulaiman must feel like a fly trapped in a spider's web as the spider creeps towards him.

"Every now and then, friends in Umno will ask if it's true the CM has resigned. I ask them, how many times have you heard that Sulaiman has resigned?" said Rim assemblyman Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar with a laugh.

The thing is that the average person in Melaka has come to believe it will happen sooner or later.

"It is a rumour waiting to happen. I think Rauf will get there, he knows all the corners," said former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.

The pair put up a good show of friendliness when together in public but the relationship, by most accounts, is strained.

Sulaiman, known as 'Leman' to his friends, is said to be fed-up and hurt.

The unending rumours have undermined his authority and caused political instability.

However, he is not aggressive like Rauf who is known to bulldoze his way through things.

How did the two friends become rivals?

Sulaiman became Chief Minister after the Sheraton Move which saw the Melaka government change hands in 2020.

Rauf was instrumental in putting Sulaiman up there.

The Umno strongman had spurned then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's instruction to appoint Rafiq Naizamohideen who was from Bersatu. It took guts to do that and that is why you do not mess with Rauf.

The insider talk in Umno is that Sulaiman will warm the seat until Rauf is in a position to take over.

Rauf was like the de facto chief minister by then and his nickname in Melaka Umno was "King" while civil servants call him "teddy bear" because of his build.

But when Rauf finally became a state assemblyman after the Melaka election, the Umno leadership retained Sulaiman, who was hastily sworn in at 1am after the polls to prevent any sabotage.

That was when the friendship ended and the rumours began.

Rauf's dream may come true soon because Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants state Umno chairmen to hold the key posts in each state where possible.

This is to strengthen the party hierarchy because a state Umno chairman will lack clout without a government post.

Moreover, Ahmad Zahid is looking for strong allies to manage the party at state level.

"I have nothing against both leaders, they have their own strengths. Rauf is not easy to work with but he gets things done. Sulaiman is not controversial and carries himself well.

"I pray for an amicable solution that will not damage the party," said Khaidhirah who is also Jasin Puteri Umno chief.

But a wealthy Umno division leader is said to be campaigning for Sulaiman to stay on.

He is alleged to be behind a local personality who has posted videos making all sorts of allegations about Rauf and has even lodged a report with the MACC.

Sulaiman does not seem to be fighting back. In fact, he seems quite resigned to the situation.

He had moved his family to live in the official residence of the Chief Minister after his first appointment in 2020 but they moved out shortly before the Melaka election last November.

The family has not moved back even after the big win.

Is it because he knows that it would be futile to fight back and that the end is near? - Star

The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.