Malacca Harapan confirms it no longer controls the state assembly

In what appeared to be a move to bid farewell, Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari expresses gratitude to those who gave him the opportunity to lead.

"Although the time is short, I have tried my best with all the energy I have to relieve (the people) from hunger, evil and sadness," Adly (above)  said in a social media posting.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Malacca state executive councillor Tey Kok Kiew confirmed that the Pakatan Harapan-led state government no longer commands the majority in the State Legislative Assembly.

"(Bersatu) had quit from Harapan and we do not have the numbers now," said Tey, who is the Malacca DAP chief.

He said Adly had yet to meet with the Yang di-Pertua Malacca Mohd Khalil Yaakob on the latest political scenario after Bersatu pulled out of Harapan.

"He (the Yang di-Pertua) has yet to summon (Adly). We are waiting for those who command the majority to meet with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri," Tey said.

As of now, he said, Adly has not officially been dropped nor tendered his resignation but he remained certain that the Harapan-led state government is about to fall.

Harapan originally commanded 15 out of the 28 state seats. If the two Bersatu reps switched sides, that would give Harapan only 13 state assembly seats.

Interestingly, Tey told Malaysiakini that the other side now commands 16 seats while Harapan only controls 12 seats. This would imply one more defector beyond the two Bersatu reps, but Tey did not elaborate on the matter. 

An aide of Adly also confirmed that Harapan no longer commands a simple majority in the Malacca Legislative Assembly.

Meanwhile, Malacca exco member Kerk Chee Yee said Harapan is still the state government until a new government is sworn in.

"(Probably, Adly) said goodbye in advance," he said in a text message.

Kerk said he is not packing his bags to leave his office as yet.

This is supported by a source close to the state Harapan leadership who said that Adly would be having an audience with the Malacca governor tomorrow.

"So far, Malacca Harapan has lost the simple majority. So, Harapan is already like having lost its power in Malacca.

"The CM will go see the governor tomorrow," said the source.

Meanwhile, according to state Umno liaison committee chairperson Abdul Rauf Yusof, no Bersatu assemblypersons have approached him so far to form a state government.

He told Malaysiakini that the Harapan state government is also status quo, as Bersatu is still considered to be in the same bloc with other Harapan parties, albeit the Bersatu central leadership has announced that it quit Harapan yesterday.

"If they want to do it (form a new state government), it should be the Malacca (Bersatu) state leaders who say it, that they are quitting. Then only the majority is lost," Rauf says.

"But so far, nothing in Malacca yet. Nobody came to see me. Now, I wait and see."

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