Penang opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim did not attend the Penang state assembly meeting today as he was admitted to the Island Hospital in Penang for heart failure.

When met at the hospital, Azhar said he started experiencing breathing difficulties, chest pain and coughing on Wednesday and was sent to the Kepala Batas Hospital before being relocated to the Island Hospital yesterday morning.

“I had hoped to take part in this state assembly sitting, but can’t due to doctor’s orders,” he told reporters after receiving a visit from several Umno assemblypersons this morning.

Azhar, who was expected to attend the state assembly today after his six-month suspension ended last month, said he would join should he be discharged sometime soon.

He was suspended from the sitting for six months after the assembly’s rights and privileges committee found him to have violated the standing order by uttering seditious words during a heated argument with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng during last May’s sitting.

This state assembly sitting is scheduled for five days starting today and will resume next Tuesday until Friday.    

- Bernama