Sulaiman to discuss if PN will join Malacca state govt
Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali will discuss with BN’s leadership whether to allow two Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers to join the state ruling government.
While the federal government’s administration was cooperating with PN, Sulaiman noted that BN’s decision to contest solo in the recently concluded Malacca state election has to be taken into account in the formation of the new state government.
"I must discuss with the party leadership because...
Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali will discuss with BN’s leadership whether to allow two Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers to join the state ruling government.
While the federal government’s administration was cooperating with PN, Sulaiman noted that BN’s decision to contest solo in the recently concluded Malacca state election has to be taken into account in the formation of the new state government.
"I must discuss with the party leadership because BN contested solo in Malacca state election, not with the (federal) government or PN," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian yesterday.
"Therefore, whatever decision made by the party leadership, I will abide by it," he said.
Malacca PN chief Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Malaysiakini.
BN swept 21 out of 28 state seats in the Nov 20 state polls, securing two-third to form the state government. Umno itself won 18 seats while MCA won two and MIC one.
PN won in Sungai Udang and Bemban.
New line-up next week
Meanwhile, Sulaiman reiterated that the new state executive council line-up would be announced next week.
"We will look at their abilities and education so that we can distribute the portfolio according to suitability. Maybe this weekend we will announce the appointment of the state executive councillors," he said.
BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan said there is no need for the BN state government to appoint PN assemblypersons into the state cabinet.
This is because he said BN was not in a position that requires bringing in PN lawmakers as state executive councillors particularly when BN secured a two-third majority in Malacca.
"If (BN and PN) did not contest as a team, does the winner wants to share the victory (with them)? Is this necessary?
“When we do something it's because there is a need for us to do so. (We may consider) if we don't have enough seats, but now that we have more than enough, we have a lot of choices among ourselves," he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
"For me, there is no need. If the matter is brought up at the party leadership, as part of the highest leadership, I will question the necessity of doing so," he said.
