Melaka UMNO ready if state election is called - Ab Rauf

MELAKA: Melaka UMNO is ready if a state election is called, said its state Liaison Committee chairman, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusuh.

He said that the state assemblymen from Barisan Nasional, however, left it to Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, to decide.

"The state UMNO Liaison body leaves it the discretion of Tun Mohd Ali to resolve the current political crisis.

"According to Article 19 (2) of the Melaka State Constitution, Tun Mohd Ali can dissolve the State Legislative Assembly," he said at a press conference at his residence in Masjid Tanah today.

Asked about an audience with Tun Mohd Ali on the matter, Ab Rauf, who is also the speaker of the Melaka State Assembly, said that if he was summoned, he would have an audience.

Today, four state assemblymen declared that they have lost confidence in Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali's leadership, and have withdrawn support for him.

The assemblymen are former Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas).

The Melaka assembly has 28 seats, with 14 held by Barisan Nasional (BN), Bersatu (2), DAP (7), PKR (2) Amanah (2) and one Independent assemblyman.

Commenting on Idris and Azman's membership in UMNO, Ab Rauf said that their membership was automatically revoked after holding a press conference with the opposition.

He also expressed disappointment over the actions of four assemblymen for withdrawing support for Sulaiman.

"We have been developing this state government together for 19 months. Our achievements are good but we are now shaken by this political (crisis) due to the interests and ambitions of certain individuals. This crisis today should be seen as a new challenge for politics in Melaka and the country," he said.

-- BERNAMA