In an unexpected move, Teresa Kok (DAP - Seputeh) has come out in defence of two MCA state assembly representatives who face possible expulsion for not opposing a motion proposed by the DAP at the Penang state assembly on Thursday.

Kok said in a statement today that the warning issued by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to the two Tan Cheng Liang and Lim Boo Chang reflected the "authoritarianism and undemocratic" spirit within Barisan Nasional.

"[This is] where all members in BN are required to be "yes-men" to whatever policy and decision made by the top leaders, and all the elected representatives of BN cannot hold dissenting views to all the policies and decision which are unfavourable to the people," she said.

On Friday, Abdullah said that action would be taken against Tan (BN-Jawi) and Lim (BN-Datuk Keramat) as they had committed a serious breach of discipline.

The two had abstained during a vote on a motion, tabled by Danny Law (DAP-Batu Lancang) that the RM1.02bil Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) project be deferred until the RM400mil Jelutong Expressway was completed.