MELAKA: Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed yesterday that he had received the resignation letter of Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

It was earlier reported by The Star that Melaka Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh would be sworn in as the new chief minister this Friday.

However, a source told the daily that it would not be Ab Rauf who would be sworn in tomorrow, but Umno deputy state chief Datuk Rais Yasin, who is Paya Rumput assemblyman and state education, science, technology and innovation committee chairman.

Meanwhile, three executive councilors will be dropped from the new state cabinet line-up, namely tourism, heritage and culture chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis; housing & local government and environment chairman Zaidi Attan; and unity, human resources, community relations and consumer affairs chairman Ngwe Hee Sem.