Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has admitted he was caught off guard by Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) decision to withdraw from the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led state government in July, after nearly three years of working together.
Rauf, who is also Melaka BN chairman, said he had welcomed PH representatives into the state administration when he took office as chief minister in March 2023.
He said the state government had formulated its policies fairly, without political bias, and had not expected the PH representatives to leave the administration.
“All government policies were formulated fairly, without political bias. But they decided to resign from the state Cabinet, something we did not expect or ask to happen,” he told FMT.
Despite their departure, Rauf maintained that the state government remained capable of carrying out its responsibilities and serving the public.
“Without them, we can still continue serving the people,” he said.
Five Melaka PH assemblymen withdrew from the state administration on July 16, following a constitutional amendment that allows up to seven unelected assemblymen to be appointed.
The five were Adly Zahari (Bukit Katil), Allex Seah (Kesidang), Kerk Chee Yee (Ayer Keroh), Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana) and Leng Chau Yen (Banda Hilir).
Seah resigned as executive councillor for entrepreneur development, cooperatives and consumer affairs, while Kerk stepped down as deputy speaker. Low and Leng also relinquished their positions as deputy executive councillors.
Asked to assess his administration’s achievements, Rauf said its performance should not simply be judged by the size or scale of development projects, but by how effectively it addresses the everyday problems faced by residents.
He explained that complaints were gathered through the state’s constituency development and coordination committee before being verified by village heads and district offices. The relevant assemblymen and executive councillors would then take action to resolve the issues.
Among the problems tackled were village roads that had not been paved, insufficient street lighting and the provision of adult diapers and milk for bedridden patients.
Rauf said the same approach was applied to help schools, support agricultural activities and address the needs of fishermen and small-scale livestock farmers.
“Don’t ask me about major achievements. A major achievement is we resolved the rakyat’s problems,” he said.
He added that helping residents who genuinely needed assistance was what gave him the greatest satisfaction.
“That gives me the greatest satisfaction… when people who need help receive it.”
