Malacca DAP to quit state govt in protest

 

Malacca DAP is set to announce its withdrawal from the state government this afternoon and resign from all positions held in the BN-led administration.

This is in protest against a proposed state constitutional amendment to introduce appointed state assembly members.

Malaysiakini understands that DAP representatives will make the announcement at the Malacca state legislative assembly after the state government proceeds with the constitutional amendment at noon today.

The party will resign from all government positions it currently holds, including one state executive councillor (exco), two deputy excos, one deputy speaker, as well as all village heads and local councillors appointed under the state administration.

Those stepping down include state exco Allex Seah, deputy excos Low Chee Leong and Leng Chau Yen, as well as deputy speaker Kerk Chee Yee.

Sources also told Malaysiakini that Malacca DAP chief and national organising secretary Khoo Poay Tiong briefed the party’s central executive committee (CEC) on the decision last night, and the move received the CEC's endorsement.

The mass resignation marks a dramatic escalation in DAP’s opposition to the state government’s plan for a Malacca Constitution amendment allowing up to seven unelected state assembly members.

Room for abuse, weaken democracy

The proposed amendment has sparked public disagreements between DAP and BN, in particular its component party MCA.

In a statement on July 8, Malacca DAP warned that allowing the state government to appoint up to seven assembly members would expand not only legislative influence but also executive power, while creating potential room for abuse.

They also argued that the proposal would weaken democratic representation by enabling unelected representatives to sit in the state legislature.

Malacca currently has 28 elected seats in its state legislative assembly. BN holds 20, Harapan five, and Perikatan Nasional three.

On July 11, Seah pledged to resign immediately as a state executive councillor if the state assembly, with BN’s two-thirds majority, passes the constitutional amendment today.

Seah also challenged MCA and Malacca MCA chief Lim Ban Hong to state whether they would stand with the people of Malacca in opposing the proposal or continue supporting the constitutional amendment.

Earlier, Lim questioned whether Seah had raised DAP’s objections to the proposal during state executive council meetings. - Mkini