Tangga Batu parliamentarian Idris Haron today laughed off suggestions when told he was among those named as possible candidates for the Malacca chief minister’s position.

umno agm egm 151009 supreme council member idris haron Idris ( right ) said this was not true because any follower of incumbent Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam was a likely successor.

“(Mohd Ali) is confident with all leaders that he has appointed and mentored,” said Idris when contacted yesterday, often laughing with amusement at the topic.

Previously, Mohd Ali had expressed interest in being promoted to a federal ministerial position.

Mohd Ali had said so during an interview published by New Sunday Times , stressing that he hoped that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would fulfil his ambitions.

Earlier, Malaysiakini had spoken to Malacca state legislative assembly speaker Othman Muhamad, who brought up Idris’ name as a possible chief ministerial candidate.

Two others named by Othman are Malacca Umno veteran Abu Seman Yusop, the current deputy home minister and state exco member Ghafar Atan.

Othman explained that all three individuals are proven Umno division leaders.

Hard act to follow

Idris heads the Tangga Batu division while Abu Seman and Ghafar head the Masjid Tanah and Alor Gajah division respectively.

“So these are the names that people in Umno are talking about. They are not yet chosen by the PM. The PM has his own set of criteria.

ali rustam “Normally, the chief minister is a division chief but there are times where someone who is not a division chief is appointed,” he said.

Othman, who had worked under former chief minister Ghafar Baba for 18 years, said choosing someone to fill the role of chief minister was a complicated affair.

Should Mohd Ali ( left ) be promoted as a federal minister, he will leave huge shoes to fill because of his impeccable work ethics, adding that he is as good as Ghafar.

“I’ve worked with Ghafar for 18 years. I feel that Mohd Ali’s 12-year-old administration has done 20 year’s work. He works hard. He leaves for work early, and retires late at night,” he said.

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