MELAKA: A surprise name has been mentioned for the person tipped to be the next Melaka chief minister.
A source told The Star that Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Rais Yasin, who is in his late 30s, could be sworn-in as the 14th state chief minister on Friday (March 31).
Rais recently became Melaka Umno deputy chief.
He also defeated incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad to be the Tangga Batu division chief the Umno polls on March 19.
Rais is also currently Melaka education, technology and telecommunications committee chairman.
"'He is clean and humble as well as favoured by all races," said the source on Wednesday (March 29).
Melaka Umno and state Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh is the other person tipped to be in the running for the chief minister post.
Earlier on Wednesday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali had stepped down as Melaka chief minister.
