PKR leaders have called for a swift and amicable resolution to the flood aid row in Penang to avoid a bigger conflict erupting within Pakatan Harapan.
Vice-president Tian Chua also urged the state government to review its decision to bar PKR lawmaker Cheah Kah Peng from the process to register flood victims.
“I don't know what wrong Cheah committed. I don't know why (Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng barred him.
“Harapan should find a solution as soon as possible to prevent the matter from becoming exacerbated and give our enemies an opportunity to sabotage us,” Tian Chua told Malaysiakini today.
PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in a text message to Malaysiakini, said Penang PKR would meet with the chief minister to resolve the matter.
Earlier, Penang PKR chief Mansor Othman expressed support for Cheah (photo) and described Lim's excuse for dropping the Kebun Bunga assemblyperson as “naive and unacceptable”.
Mansor also claimed that handing over the registration work to DAP's Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey appeared to be a move to marginalise PKR in the state government.
Lim had claimed that Cheah was dropped due to an “internal procedural change”.
However, the Kebun Bunga assemblyperson accused the state government of “punishing” his voters and vowed to continue helping his constituents register for the aid.
Central leadership won't interfere for now
Meanwhile, Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin also called for an amicable and professional solution.
She also felt that Cheah should not have been barred.
“Unless he is involved in corruption, he (Cheah) should be given a chance to explain himself (on whatever issue that led to his barring),” Zuraida told Malaysiakini.
Responding to a question, Zuraida (photo) said Cheah has not raised the matter with the central leadership.
“He went to through the state level... Normally, we don't interfere.
“We will wait for the state (PKR) report. If it is beyond their ability to resolve (the issue), then the matter would be referred to the central leadership,” she added.
Commenting on the issue, PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin emphasised the importance of maintaining the working relationship among the Harapan parties and called for an amicable solution.
"This is about the working relationship among all parties, especially in defending the state government in the 14th general election," the state executive councillor said.
At a press conference yesterday, Cheah was asked if he was being penalised for questioning the state on a bill to allow the 130-year-old Penang Botanic Gardens to be corporatised.
“Interesting question. I would be very interested to know the answer," he had replied.
Cheah was one of the "PKR 5" who abstained from voting against the Umno motion on land reclamation, resulting in the chief minister describing them as "saboteurs".- Mkini
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