Local civil groups who oppose the proposed billion-ringgit Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) project, are appalled that two MCA representatives would be punished for not voting against an opposition motion tabled in the people's favour at a recent state assembly meeting.

Coordinator of the central ad hoc No Porr committee Linda Lim said today the people were "shocked" that Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had termed the action by the duo Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi) and Lim Boo Chang (Datuk Keramat) as a 'serious breach of party discipline'.

The two representatives caused a furore in the ruling front when they abstained from voting against a motion by Law Heng Kiang (DAP-Batu Lanchang) to defer the RM1.02 billion project until the RM400 million Jelutong Expressway was completed.

Following reports in the media, Abdullah said action must be taken against the duo for a 'serious breach of discipline'.

BN secretary-general Mohamed Rahmat accused the duo of having their own interests. He said their action will disrupt the smooth running of the government.

True democracy

However, MCA leaders like vice presidents Chan Kong Choy and Chua Jui Meng have come out in defence of the duo, saying that they should be given an opportunity to present their case.

Lim stressed that the representatives were just doing their job.

"We find this appalling because these representatives were voted in to serve our rights and needs. If they are elected as the rakyat's representatives, why are they not allowed to represent our interests and concerns?" she queried when contacted in Penang.

"The duo has given us hope that there are still brave people out there who will speak for us, that they have conscience to fulfill their obligations," she added, further saying that those who were not in the state assembly to vote that day had also made a statement of their own.

Lim appealed to Abdullah, Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Deputy Chief Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya not to take action against the duo, saying that this was "true democracy and the two should not be punished for speaking up".

Koh and Hilmi have been asked to submit a report on the matter, which was expected in two days.

Lim also expressed fear that the controversy would divert the attention of the people from the real issue of how the massive road project would affect the socio-environmental condition of the island.

"Let's not forget the real issue here," she said, requesting for a new Environmental Impact Assessment report to be conducted soon as the last one done six years ago is obsolete.

Measuring up to promises

Meanwhile, social reform movement Aliran questioned the crux of the issue, asking what should prevail in the end loyalty to the party or the people?

"It is a shame that there are already cries for their blood for taking a stand that went against the interest of the BN," said Aliran president P Ramakrishnan in a press statement.

"It is ironic that people's representatives are not allowed to fight for the people who voted them in.

"Come election time, those who voted against the motion are the very people who will go around wooing voters for their support promising to defend their rights and trust," he added.

Ramakrishnan said elected representatives must remain true to their pledge to serve the people "faithfully, earnestly and with integrity".

If they cannot measure up to this promise, he added, then they must not go around fooling the people.