Bertam rep, Khaliq, named as Penang state assembly opposition leader

Perikatan Nasional (PN) has named Bertam assemblyperson Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq as the new opposition leader representing the coalition in the Penang state legislative assembly.

PN deputy chairperson, Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, said that the proposal was agreed upon by all PN assemblypersons, and Penang state assembly speaker, Law Choo Kiang has been informed of the matter.

“We are confident that with this appointment, PN will act as an authoritative opposition to bring the voice of the people of Penang,” he said in a statement today.

Lau, who is also the Penang PN chairperson, said that the state government had sent a notice of motion to vacate seats for the four state constituencies represented by the PN - namely Bertam, Teluk Bahang, Sungai Acheh and Seberang Jaya.

He added that the motion was related to the anti-party hopping law in the state, which is expected to be debated on March 6 at the Penang state assembly sitting.

Lau said that Khaliq (second from left) had sent a motion to the Penang state assembly, on Feb 20, to amend Article 14A Clause 1 of the Penang Constitution, regarding the anti-hopping law, to be parallel and consistent with the Anti-Parti Hopping Act (Act A1663) which was approved in Parliament last year.

Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

According to him, the major contradiction in the law is regarding the dismissal of a member of the assembly because, based on the law, an MP will not lose his seat if the representative is dismissed from his party or if his political party is dissolved or deregistered.

“We are of the view that Penang should not be seen as contradicting and contrary to the Federal Constitution, which is the highest law of the land.

“However, this motion from the opposition has been rejected by the speaker from being debated in this upcoming assembly sitting,” he said.

Article 14A of the Penang Constitution states that an assemblyperson should vacate his seat if he resigns, is stripped of his membership, ceases to be a politician or is chosen as a candidate by another political party.

- Bernama