Penang names four 'Adun angkat' for vacant state seats

Penang government has appointed Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Lee Khai Loon, Fadhlina Sidek and Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik as 'Adun angkat' (adopted assemblypersons) for the four vacant seats of Bertam, Seberang Jaya, Sungai Acheh and Teluk Bahang.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the appointment of the four assemblypersons was made based on the closest-to-area factor in order to enable them to manage the problems faced by the constituents so that they do not feel marginalised.

“Actually, when the four (Bersatu) assemblypersons left Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) in 2020, we have already appointed new ones.

“It is just that every year, we update it to take the change into recognition,” he told the reporters during his visit to the Chowrasta Market in conjunction with the International Woman's Day celebration today.

Chow (above), who is also the Penang Harapan chairperson, said Ahmad Zakiyuddin, the Penang Deputy Chief Minster I who is also the Pinang Tunggal assemblyperson will look after Bertam, while Lee, who is Machang Bubok assemblyperson, will look after Seberang Jaya.

“Muhammad Bakhtiar, the Balik Pulau MP, will look after Teluk Bahang, while Education Minister Fadhlina, who is Nibong Tebal MP will look after Sungai Acheh,” he said.

On Monday, the Penang state assembly approved the motion to declare vacant the seats of four assemblypersons in the state.

The assemblypersons, namely Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Zulkfili Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh), Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang), were also ordered to leave the state assembly sitting at midday after the majority of the assemblymen voted in favour of the motion.

State assembly Speaker Law Choo Kiang said that the unexpected vacancy of the state seats would not be filled as the state assembly would be dissolved in less than two years.

For the record, the Federal Court bench chaired by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat had, on Dec 16 last year, dismissed a leave application by the four assemblypersons to challenge the competency of the state legislative assembly to pass an anti-hopping law.

The four assemblypersons had also filed the suit in 2020 to challenge the constitutionality of Article 14A(1) of the Penang State Constitution, and to stop their seats from being declared vacant, pursuant to Article 14A(1).

- Bernama