Digest on Malaysian News

It is confirmed that Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib wishes to resign as Deputy Tourism Minister, however, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did not say if his resignation has been accepted. Najib declined to say when Sulaiman had tendered his resignation but said the decision to quit was for personal reasons. However, there has been talk that Sulaiman was unhappy with his post. Or maybe he quits because he is under investigation by the MACC. The most likely reason why Sulaiman quit is to return to Sarawak to become the next CM.




The Prime Minister said he would consult the views of Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on the issue before making any decision.

"He has stated his interest to relinquish his position as deputy minister but I have yet to consult the Sarawak Barisan chairman, so just wait," he told reporters after chairing the Umno Supreme Council meeting here Friday night.

It is learnt that Sulaiman, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Youth vice-president and the son of the Sarawak Chief Minister, tendered his resignation letter last month citing poor health as the reason.

Among the reasons cited for Sulaiman’s resignation was his personal dissatisfaction with the perceived bad treatment towards leaders from Sabah and Sarawak by the Federal Government.

Apparently, the Kota Samarahan MP was dissatisfied having to serve as deputy minister in an "unimportant ministry".

He was also said to be particularly miffed at having to serve under the previous and current ministers, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Datin Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen respectively. Read also UMNO ladies overspent rakyat money

Friends said he did not get along with both Azalina and Dr Ng and had complained that he was never given any substantial responsibility.

There is also speculation that Sulaiman, a former RHB Bank chairman, was also unhappy that former MAS chief Datuk Seri Idris Jala was appointed to the Cabinet over him and other Sarawak and Sabah MPs.

Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said as far as the Parliament was concerned, Sulaiman was still a deputy minister.

To date, the Dewan Rakyat had yet to receive any formal resignation letter from Sulaiman.

"He was in Parliament last week and sat in his deputy minister’s chair," he said.

He said it would be the Prime Minister’s prerogative to inform the Dewan Rakyat of any resignation of a Federal Cabinet member to enable his chair to be rearranged and redesignated during sittings.

Attempts to contact Sulaiman, who is believed to be overseas through his mobile phones, proved futile.

He also did not attend a dinner that he was scheduled to host for a visiting Sarawak delegation from the Farmers Development Council of the Batang Lupar and Bandar Kuching parliamentary constituencies in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

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