More calls for Penang CM to act against defecting state reps

Calls are growing for Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to act on the two state assemblypersons who had shifted alliances from Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional.

The move did not pave the way for a change of government like Kedah, but it increased the opposition members in the Penang state assembly from three to five. 

Today, Penang Amanah Youth urged Chow (above) to be firm in addressing the departure of the duo - Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifli Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) - from Harapan although, at the height of the political crisis, they have pledged their support twice to the Penang Harapan government. 

The party's youth chief Muhamad Khairul Mohd Ali said the two assemblypersons have violated the spirit of Harapan which had been sealed since the 2018 general election.

"In fact, this act is seen as a betrayal of the mandate given by the people to the Harapan government. It is to be recalled that all the GE candidates received the warkah (letter) from then PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"The triumph of the two assemblypersons in Penang was due to their party's alliance with Harapan at that time," Khairul said in a statement.

On Saturday, Penang PKR Youth chief Fahmi Zainol reminded Chow to abide by his promise to make defectors vacate their seats. 

In early March, Chow had apparently made a statement that stern action will be taken against any state assemblypersons who support traitors.

This, he had said, was in accordance with the Penang Constitutional Enactment (Amendment) 2012, which related to anti-party hopping. 

Malaysiakini has contacted Chow about the state's latest development and is awaiting his response.

Khaliq (photo, above) had said he was merely following party orders to shift alliances, while Zolkifli added that Bersatu no longer received any invitations to state functions.

On the same note, Khairul said it was unfortunate that the people who voted for the two assemblypersons have now been betrayed by their decision to defect.

It was time that the Penang government undertake a massive clean-up to eradicate all "traitors" in the state administration, he added.

"This need to be hastened in order to maintain the harmony of the Harapan government in Penang.

"Therefore, we call on the chief minister to take immediate action against the two elected representatives under the State Constitution (Amendment) Enactment 2012 on anti-party hopping law.

"Any act of treason should not be allowed in the administration of the Harapan government in Penang," said Khairul.

"There should be perpetual principles, a permanent alliance of Harapan. We should reject traitors," he added. - Mkini