Umno’s Idris, who is also the Sungai Udang assemblyman, yesterday said the state government had fallen after four assemblymen, including him, withdrew support for Sulaiman.

Idris said he rejects Umno’s proposal to hold a state election, adding that PH should be given the opportunity to lead the state.

“We have to consider a lot of things if a state election is held. We are still in the Covid-19 pandemic and it poses a high risk. The election will also involve a lot of costs,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

“We do not want what happened in the previous Sabah election, in which the number of Covid-19 cases increased sharply (after the election), to be repeated here.

“If PH forms the (state) government, we are not going to let Melaka regress. Surely, we will bring progress to our state.”

Idris also declined to comment on which party he and the other three assemblymen would be joining.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday urged the state to hold an election to return the mandate to the rakyat, a call that was echoed by Melaka Umno.