Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen today asked the media not to engage in speculation that she and her deputy Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib could not see eye-to-eye and that this had

led to the latter tendering his resignation letter to the prime minister.

"This is all speculation, Did he (Sulaiman) say this was the reason for his resigning?" Ng told reporters when asked if there had been friction between them.

ng yen yen jean todt 26062009 03 "The Prime Minister (Najib Abdul Razak) informed me that Sulaiman had submitted his resignation letter to him and that he (Najib) had yet to make a decision on it.

“We are not privy to the details of the letter. As such, I hope the media won't engage in speculation," she said, adding that in the seven months they had been at the ministry, their relationship had been good.

Asked further if Sulaiman had informed her of his intention to quit as deputy minister, Ng said: "No...this is his personal matter."

Yesterday, Najib had confirmed receiving Sulaiman's resignation letter to step down as deputy tourism minister.

MCA boss chooses to keep mum

Also on the issue of speculation, MCA president Ong Tee Keat said he preferred not to make any comments on party matters to avoid more speculation as this would only aggravate the situation.

He said there was also a "media overload" on the problems besetting MCA. "I do not want to make any more comments," he said.

Following the internal problems, MCA split into three factions but in the latest developments, all three agreed to hold fresh party elections to end the dispute.

The party has also set up a special committee to resolve issues related to the polls.