Johari Kassim is set to be reinstated as Seberang Perai councillor after he publicly apologised to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

Johari was sacked as Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillor on June 26 over a personal attack on Lim.

PKR will ask Lim to reinstate Johari by the end of the month.

NONE Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mansor Othman (left) said that PKR would suggest that Lim legally enforce the period between the date of Johari's expulsion and reinstatement as a "suspension".

In a statement today, Johari said he apologised to end the controversy, which had shaken Pakatan Rakyat's unity, cooperation and understanding.

"I wish to apologise for my personal criticisms against the chief minister," he said.

My view on apointments still stands

He made it clear that he was not apologising for his outburst against the appointment of civil servants as heads of municipalities in Penang.

"I will uphold PKR's stand to appoint politicians to helm local councils. There is no change in that," said Johari.

majlis perbendaharan seberang jaya mpsp pkr walkout 040609 mokhtar mohd jait The controversy erupted on June 4 when Johari led seven PKR councillors to boycott the appointment of former Northern Seberang Perai (SPU) chief Mokhtar Mohd Jait (left) as MPSP president.

Apart from Johari, other PKR councillors who boycotted the event were Che Mat Hashim, Amir Ghazali, Mahamad Hashim, Rynu Shanmugam, Goh Choon Aik, Mohd Kamil Abu Bakar and Zaini Awang

Only Farid Arshad defied the boycott order.

Johari argued that Mokhtar's selection was against a Pakatan Rakyat "gentleman's agreement" to appoint politicians to helm local councils.

Crisis has strengthened leadership

Based on the meeting between the state government and PKR leaders yesterday, Johari is of the view that the controversy was actually a blessing in disguise.

"The controversy has strengthened and enhanced the maturity of Pakatan Rakyat state leadership.

"It has actually paved way for better cooperation and understanding between Pakatan coalition and government in Penang," he said.

lim guan eng Lim (right) was particularly miffed by Johari's personal attack on him

Johari had criticised Lim for not respecting PKR's wish on council appointments and that "he (Lim) was running the state government like his own backyard".

At yesterday's meeting, Lim said he was willing to reinstate Johari on condition that he makes a public apology.

Lim had invoked an administrative rule under Section 10(4) of the Local Government Act 1976 to sack Johari, a PKR state liaison committee member.

Under the section, Johari had no right of appeal.

Johari hoped all Pakatan leaders would refrain from publicly speaking about the issue.

"I have apologised and hope to be back in MPSP by month's end," he said.