According to sources, Melaka Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh is looking to take over from Sulaiman, Sin Chew Daily reported.

Speculation about a leadership change in Melaka has been rife since last November’s state election.

Rauf, the Tanjung Bidara assemblyman, was linked to efforts to take over the post but had repeatedly denied such allegations.

Reports said he had approached several assemblymen on the government’s side to support a motion of no-confidence.

Rauf is currently the state executive councillor in charge of industry, investment and entrepreneurial development.

On May 12, Sulaiman denied claims that he had resigned as the chief minister after an Umno division head alleged that the Lendu assemblyman had been coerced into signing a resignation letter.

Sulaiman said these claims were made up to disrupt the stability of the state government which he had been leading since Barisan Nasional’s win in the state election last November.

Sulaiman was an exco member when BN led the state government between 2013 and 2018, and became the chief minister in March 2020 as the head of an Umno-PN government formed after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.