MELAKA: Melaka goes to the polls within the next 60 days following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on the heels of a political crisis.

Assembly speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh made the surprise announcement of the dissolution of the assembly, paving the way for the state election, at a special media conference at 3 pm today.

He said Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam had agreed to the dissolution of the assembly upon the advice given by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali yesterday. The proclamation of the dissolution of the 14th Melaka state legislative assembly was gazetted today.

Ab Rauf said Mohd Ali was informed in writing that four assemblymen had announced their loss of confidence in Sulaiman's leadership and the Yang Dipertua Negeri's consent was sought to have the assembly dissolved.

The four assemblymen - Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas) - yesterday announced their withdrawal of support for Sulaiman following a week of political uncertainty.

Their withdrawal of support left the state government without a majority in the 28-seat legislative assembly. Prior to that it had 17 representatives - 14 from UMNO, two from Bersatu and one independent. The opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) had 11 representatives - seven from DAP and two each from PKR and Amanah.

Idris, at a media conference held before the announcement on the dissolution of the assembly, claimed that two more assemblymen were expected to withdraw their support for the Melaka chief minister.

Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad, special secretary to the Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri, confirmed to Bernama that he received a letter yesterday from PH Melaka chairman Adly Zahari seeking an audience with Mohd Ali to discuss the political situation in Melaka.

Nur Azmi said, however, that the Yang Dipertua Negeri would be unable to grant an audience to any political party representative until Thursday as Mohd Ali was in self-quarantine from Sept 30 after being a close contact of several people with COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the announcement of the dissolution of the state assembly drew much reaction, particularly at this time when the country is battling hard to reduce the number of COVID-19 infections. Over 24 hours up to noon today, Melaka recorded 246 positive cases.

Prior to the announcement of the dissolution of the assembly, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said he was aware there would be public concern over the possible risk of COVID-19 infections if a state election was held.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) Melaka chairman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said PN was open to negotiations with UMNO to avoid having candidates of the two parties battling each other in the state election or engaging in three-cornered contests.

PKR Melaka chairman Datuk Halim Bachik said PKR and its allies in PH had readied themselves for any eventuality following the political crisis after the 14th General Election.

DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) assistant national organising secretary Khoo Poay Tiong said in a statement that the state election would jeopardise the country's gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is learnt that the Melaka UMNO Liaison Committee is expected to meet tonight, with the attendance also of UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is the party's election director.

-- BERNAMA