In a statement released today, he denied claims that he had resigned from his position.

“These claims (on my resignation) were made with the purpose of disrupting the stability of the state government that I have been leading since (winning) the state election last year.

“This issue should not be happening since both Umno and Barisan Nasional are preparing themselves to win back the parliamentary seats in the state that we lost in the last general election,” he said.

He called upon party members to be united and focus on winning GE15. “We have a much bigger agenda (to focus on) than engaging in politicking,” he added.

“As a party member, I would like to say that we are required to adhere to the decisions made by the party.”

State Umno leaders had claimed that there was a plot to remove Sulaiman from his position.

On May 8, the acting head of Alor Gajah Umno division, Rospandi Leman was reported as saying that Sulaiman had been coerced to sign a resignation letter.

A certain Umno leader was said to be behind the move but Rospandi declined to name him. “I am sure you also know (who the mastermind is),” he was quoted as saying.

Melaka Umno deputy chief Ali Mohamad denied allegations that the chief minister had been forced to sign a resignation letter on May 8.

State Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh, who was accused by several quarters in Melaka Umno of trying to force the chief minister to resign, told Berita Harian on May 9 that the claims were nothing but baseless allegations.

He also said the talk of a plot against Sulaiman was made to divide Melaka Umno as it prepared to face GE15.

Rauf, who is also a state executive councilor, added that there was no reason for him and others in Melaka Umno to go after Sulaiman as they had pledged to adhere to the Barisan Nasional’s manifesto for the state elections in November.

The manifesto had named Sulaiman as the coalition’s candidate for the chief minister’s post.

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