AYER KEROH: Tanjung Bidara assemblyman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has been sworn in as the 13th Melaka Chief Minister.
He received his letter of appointment and took the oaths of office, loyalty and secrecy before Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam at Dewan Seri Utama of the Governor's Office at 3pm today.
Ab Rauf, 61, who is also Melaka Umno state liaison committee chairman, replaces Lendu assemblyman Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
Yesterday, it was reported that Sulaiman stepped down as the Melaka Chief Minister yesterday.
It is understood that Sulaiman made the decision to step down after a meeting with Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday.
Sulaiman nevertheless has denied that he was being forced to resign from the post.
He said the decision to step down as the 12th Melaka Chief Minister was made following his desire for the post to be handed over to someone to someone who is more capable.
Zahid yesterday confirmed that Umno has nomintated Ab Rauf as the next chief minister.
The issue of the change in chief minister arose a few months after Barisan Nasional's (BN) big win during the snap state election on Nov 20, 2021.
Speculation over the matter cropped up again during the State Legislative Assembly end of last year after a voice note claiming that there was a movement to replace Sulaiman went viral.