Penang CM: Lawmakers may defect, but voters will not be punished

 

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today denied allegations by four former Pakatan Harapan lawmakers that their state funding was withheld.

In a statement today, Chow (above) said the funds were being handled by "Adun angkat" (replacement assemblypersons) that served the government.

He said this was necessary because the voters in the affected constituencies chose Harapan during the last general election and will have access to the same funds as pro-government wards.

"The voters did not betray (anyone). Therefore, they will be given the same treatment (as before).

"Conversely, the four assemblypersons betrayed their mandate who chose them as part of the Harapan coalition," he said.

Moreover, Chow said the quartet was already receiving funds from the federal government by being part of Perikatan Nasional.

The four are Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh), Khalid Mehtab Md Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang).

Afif and Zulkifli were originally PKR members, while Khalid and Zolkifly were from Bersatu.

The four boycotted an informal meeting between Penang cabinet members and legislative assemblypersons, which Chow explained was meant to serve as a check and balance mechanism since the legislative assembly was not allowed to meet during the emergency period.

The four are notable absentees at the engagement, which was attended even by Penang opposition leader Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (Umno-Sungai Dua) and the sole PAS assemblyperson Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (Penaga). - Mkini