Dr Yadzil Yaakub, the Bemban assemblyman, said he and Sungai Udang assemblyman Dr Aleef Yusof will remain in the opposition.

“Don’t be afraid of the opposition even though there are only two of us,” he said in a Facebook post.

“We will act as a check and balance to the government.”

Earlier, Rauf expressed hope that the two PN assemblymen in Melaka will join the state government before an anti-hopping bill is tabled in the state assembly in July.

Rauf, the Melaka Umno chief, said if the two assemblymen agree to join his administration, Melaka will create history as the first state with “zero” opposition.

Yadzil, who is the opposition leader, said Rauf’s appointment of deputy executive councillors was a waste of public funds, considering the state’s small size.

He said the money was better spent on allocations for the two opposition assemblymen.

He questioned if the state government will run more efficiently with 21 people in the administration.

“Is the state government only capable of increasing its revenue (by having) many excos and deputies?”