PKR’s Johari Abdul has failed to convince Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng that five PKR assemblypersons who abstained from voting against an Umno motion on reclamation did so based on their conscience.

“When he (Johari) said that the PKR 5 voted according to their conscience, does it mean that the four other PKR assemblymen who voted against the Umno motion, did not have any conscience?” Lim asked at a press conference today.

The four PKR leaders who supported the state government in rejecting the Umno motion were Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon (Pantai Jerejak), state executive councillors Abdul Malik Kassim (Batu Maung) and Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), and deputy speaker Maktar Shapee.

“Do they not have any conscience when they do not want to see the state go bankrupt?” Lim queried, when asked to response to Johari’s statement at a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

During the press conference attended by the five, Johari also said the party allowed its representatives to vote on issues which affect the people, adding that DAP assemblypersons are welcomed to vote against the PKR-led Selangor administration.

The PKR five were Penang party whip Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), T Jayabalan (Batu Uban), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok), Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), and Norlela Ariffin (Penanti).

The motion on sea reclamation, filed by Muhammad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong), was rejected due to lack of votes. Umno must obtain at least 21 out of 40 votes to push through their motion.

Farid called for reclamation projects to be suspended or not approved until a detailed environmental impact assessment and public consultation have been conducted, and that new projects which brought negative effects to the people be cancelled.

Farid’s proposal was backed by DAP Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, who has since apologised for his "mistake", and quit his party post as organising secretary.

Lim reiterated that cancellation of projects can bring big consequences to Penang, saying that the compensation amount would run into RM1 billion or more.

“As a government, we have to behave responsibly, which is why the four PKR assemblymen voted against the Umno motion.

“They cannot risk Penang going bankrupt,” Lim said.

Unaware of facts

Lim said Johari may have been aware of the facts of the incident before announcing his support for the PKR rebels.

Johari may not know that the PKR reps did not inform Rashid, whom DAP recognises as the party leader in Penang, before they abstained from voting, Lim added.

“This is unacceptable,” he said. Lim has earlier accused Ong, who led the other four in abstention, of attempting to topple Rashid, which Ong had denied.

Ong has remained silent on the matter despite being asked to comment several times.

On the merits of the motion itself, Lim said demanding that DEIA or public consultation to be carried out is “redundant” as these are already provided for under federal laws.

Lim also refuted Farid’s call for new reclamation projects to be halted, saying it included those approved by the previous government, prior to 2008.

He challenged Farid to request that the federal government provide an indemnity in the event compensation needs to be paid out of the Penang government coffers.

“If you just want to study projects which are yet to be approved, then we don't need such a motion, as existing laws already compel the state government to do so before any approval is given,” Lim said.

“We need to look at the financial consequences of this motion, if you don't follow the contract, you need to pay,” he added.