THE Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca, Dr Mohd Khalil Yaakob today met with the state’s 15 assemblymen, 13 of whom are from Barisan Nasional (BN), and one each from PKR and DAP.

The reps were seen gathering at the MITC Hotel in Ayer Keroh before departing at 3.23pm by bus and personal vehicles to the governor’s office.

Malacca BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh was among the group of state reps.

The meeting is believed to have been held to discuss the appointment of the new chief minister after the swearing-in ceremony, which was initially slated for today, was postponed to Monday.

Ab Rauf later told reporters the new chief minister would be chosen from among the 15 assemblymen who support the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led coalition.

He said he was informed of this by the governor, who would announce the candidate at 3pm on Monday, before the swearing-in ceremony.

BN has 13 assemblymen in the state Assembly and two others who support the coalition are Rembia assemblyman Muhammad Jailani Khamis, who is from PKR, and Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee, who is from  DAP.

“Thirteen BN assemblymen and two from the coalition were called to meet the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to discuss the political situation in the state. The discussion focused on the wellbeing of the people, especially the overall political stability in Malacca,” he said in a press conference in Ayer Keroh.

Last Monday, it was reported that former chief minister Adly Zahari had lost the majority support of the  state assembly members in a vote of confidence. – Bernama, March 6, 2020.