At a press conference in Parliament today, Zahid said he had submitted Rauf’s name to Melaka governor Ali Rustam.

The post became vacant after Sulaiman Ali resigned yesterday. Ali received Sulaiman’s resignation letter this morning.

Zahid also said Sulaiman told him he wanted to resign because of health issues.

Asked if the new lineup of Melaka executive councillors would include Pakatan Harapan assemblymen, the Umno president said it would reflect the “spirit” of the federal unity government.

“I’m confident this same spirit can be replicated in Melaka,” he said.

Rauf was previously the executive councillor for industry, investment and entrepreneurial development in Sulaiman’s second tenure as chief minister from November 2021 to today.

He was also the Melaka state assembly speaker from May 2020 to November 2021, during Sulaiman’s first stint as chief minister.

He had been repeatedly linked to the chief minister’s post since BN won the Melaka state elections in November 2021.

In December, Sulaiman denied speculation that he would be resigning from the post after a report said he would be stepping down on Jan 3 to make way for Rauf.

At the same time, Rauf claimed that certain quarters were trying to drive a wedge between him and Sulaiman by spreading malicious rumours about their relationship.

Yesterday, Zahid confirmed that Sulaiman had resigned as chief minister, just two days after saying Melaka may witness the formation of a unity government soon.