He said there were no plans to “betray the mandate” obtained in last year’s state election, Bernama reported.

“The article is malicious and aims to disrupt Melaka’s political stability.

“As the Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, I will never betray the trust given by the people of Melaka,” he was quoted as saying.

Rauf went on to urge BN leaders not to be influenced by such allegations and to remain focused on winning the next general election (GE15).

Yesterday, Sin Chew reported that Sulaiman could face a vote of no-confidence.

Quoting sources, the Chinese daily reported that Rauf was looking to oust Sulaiman and take over as chief minister.

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.

According to the report by Sin Chew Daily, he had allegedly approached several BN assemblymen to support a motion of no-confidence in exchange for posts in the state government.

Sulaiman became Melaka chief minister in March 2020 after the fall of the previous Pakatan Harapan state government.

At the time, Rauf was not an assemblyman and was given the post of state assembly speaker in the BN-led state government.