Both Penang Bersatu reps rescind support for Harapan

Both Bersatu assemblypersons in Penang have rescinded their support for the Pakatan Harapan state government.

Bertam representative Khalid Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (photo above, left) and Teluk Bahang representative Zolkifli Md Lazim confirmed the matter with Malaysiakini this morning.

Asked why he had changed his previous stance, Khalid said he had to follow the “direction of the party” and was in support of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“I suppose I will be considered an opposition member after this [...]

“My stance is I am with the party, and I am with the president (Muhyiddin),” he said when contacted.

Zolkifli told Malaysiakini that he will also be following the party line, and noted how he had not been invited to attend any state functions since the movement control order began.

“My party has really become the opposition in Penang,” he said.

During the Sheraton Move political crisis in February, the duo had met with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow twice to pledge their support for Harapan.

Khalid was recently appointed as chairperson of the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda), an agency under the federal government.

Zolkifli, meanwhile, has been appointed to the board of advisors for Mara Corp Sdn Bhd, the investment arm of Mara.

Their defection does not significantly affect the balance of power in Penang, with Harapan still commanding 45 seats in the 56-seat state legislature.

[More to follow] - Mkini