Sulaiman quits as deputy tourism minister

Sulaiman is said to have tendered his resignation last month. — Bernama pic

By G. Manimaran

Bahasa Malaysia Editor

PETALING JAYA, Dec 4 — Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib, the son of the Sarawak Chief Minister, has resigned as Deputy Minister of Tourism, citing poor health although government sources say it relates to perceived bad treatment towards him personally and the Borneo states.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Sulaiman tendered his resignation letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last month, citing his health condition as the main reason for his decision to leave the federal administration.

"Sulaiman tendered his letter to resign as deputy minister couple of weeks ago due to his health condition," a source close to the first-term federal lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider.

"However, he will remain as a member of Parliament," the source said.

However, sources said Najib has yet to accept Sulaiman's resignation and he remains in the ministerial bench. However, he has not answered any questions and has only been seen once in the current parliamentary session.

It is learnt that Sulaiman had also clashed with former Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and current minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen over his work. Sources said both ministers had shunned him and refrained from giving him duties, leading him to stay away from the ministry.

It is also understood that he made the decision to quit as a form of protest over the appointment of former MAS chief Datuk Seri Idris Jala to the Cabinet over him and other elected Sarawak and Sabah lawmakers from Barisan Nasional. The Borneo states stuck loyally to Barisan Nasional despite the swing towards Pakatan Rakyat in Election 2008.

Sources close to Sulaiman also confirmed that the politician-cum-businessman has kept away from his coalition colleagues and the ongoing Parliament session.

A few deputy ministers, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider, also gave similar remarks.

"I have not seen him (Sulaiman) for last two weeks... we tried to call him many times but no response," said one deputy minister.

Taib is the long-serving Chief Minister of Sarawak.

Sulaiman is the scion of long-serving Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who has ruled Sarawak since the 1980s. Sulaiman's mother Puan Sri Laila Taib died few months back.

Sulaiman was the former chairman of CMSB which also once owned RHB Bank and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree.

In the last 12th general election held in March 2008, Sulaiman stood as a candidate in the Kota Samarahan parliamentary seat previously held by his father.

Following his win, he was appointed a deputy minister of tourism in the administration of then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and was retained by Najib last April.