Penang Bersatu reps forget they were elected on Harapan's platform, says Marzuki

Penang Bersatu chairperson Marzuki Yahya has expressed disappointment that the two Bersatu state assemblypersons have defected to the opposition in support of Perikatan Nasional.

This is despite the duo having pledged their support twice to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow including when Bersatu left Pakatan Harapan in March.

The two elected representatives - Khalid Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifli Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) - appeared to have bypassed Marzuki in accepting federal positions.

Marzuki said the duo had not even discussed with him or asked his opinion about the federal positions offered to them by the Perikatan Nasional government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"They have chosen to prioritise positions while abandoning the people's mandate," Marzuki told Malaysiakini.

Marzuki was referring to Khalid's recent appointment as chairperson of the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda), an agency under the Rural Development Ministry.

He also noted that Zolkifli has been appointed to the board of advisors for Mara Corp Sdn Bhd, the investment arm of Mara.

Marzuki said the duo had forgotten that their collaboration and cooperation with Pakatan Harapan at the 2018 national polls had given them victory to become assemblypersons.

With their defection, the 40-member Penang Legislative Assembly now has 35 backbenchers (Pakatan Harapan) and five opposition members, including Umno (2) and PAS (1).

Officially, Marzuki said Bersatu in Penang is Pakatan Harapan-friendly.

"I have nothing much to say but as Penang state chairperson, I will always hold on to principles that we are with Pakatan Harapan," Marzuki said.

"Their statement that they have accepted federal posts and declared themselves as opposition in the state is their own personal decision," stressed Marzuki.

Marzuki's position itself as the party's secretary-general is being disputed as he has been terminated by Muhyiddin in March since the latter had been at loggerheads with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

It is now uncertain if the Harapan state government would act against the two Bersatu assemblypersons for defecting as Penang has passed an anti-hopping law in 2012.

Defections would mean a by-election may be carried out at the affected constituencies.

Malaysiakini has contacted Chow regarding the matter and is awaiting his response.

House speaker Law Choo Kiang has yet to be informed about the change of seats in the Dewan Negeri, which will sit again in November. - Mkini