AYER KEROH: All 15 assemblymen from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact in the state held a special meeting with Melaka Yang di-Pertuan Negeri, Tun Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob today.
The meeting, led by state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh was held at Khalil’s office at Kompleks Seri Negeri.
The meeting was for the group to submit fresh statutory declaration (SDs) to Khalil to form a new state government.
Also present were former chief minister and Sungai Udang assemblyman Datuk Seri Idris Haron, PKR’s Rembia assemblyman Muhammad Jailani Khamis and DAP’s Pengkalan Batu assemblyman, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee.
The last-minute meeting was called after PN decided against working with two Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) assemblymen to form a new coalition state government.
The duo from Bersatu are Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen and Teluk Mas assemblyman Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad.
This means that the new Perikatan Nasional coalition in Melaka will consist of 13 BN assemblymen, one PKR assemblyman and one DAP assemblyman.
There are 28 seats in the Melaka state legislative assembly.
In a press conference earlier, Rauf said the new coalition would form a new state government without the two Bersatu assemblymen.
However, Rauf, who is the state Umno liaison committee chief, said the decision would not affect Melaka PN’s relationship with Bersatu as a party.
Bersatu had previously nominated Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen as chief minister, while Umno had initially wanted Lendu assemblyman Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali for the post.