The suspension of two Penang state assembly representatives, Lim Boo Chang (MCA-Datuk Keramat) and Tan Cheng Liang (MCA-Jawi), has been lifted with immediate effect by the Barisan Nasional leadership.

Announcing this after chairing the BN supreme council meeting today, Prime Minister and BN chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the duo could now be active in the party and the BN.

"The proposal on the lifting of the suspension of the two MCA state assembly reps have been accepted by the BN and also agreed to by Gerakan, to resume duties as state assembly reps," he was quoted by Bernama as saying.

They were suspended following their action to abstain during voting on the Porr (Penang Outer Ring Road) issue in the state assembly.

Aasked whether the BN would impose a no party-hopping rule on its component parties, Mahathir said that the BN supreme council today touched on the issue but component parties agreed that it would be destructive to the ruling coalition and therefore cannot be done.

BN stronger now

On the strength of BN at present, he said the BN was now stronger than during the 1999 general election.

"Things are getting better. We have solved many problems and we think we can solve whatever problems that we may have with the component parties long before the (next) general election," he said.

Dr Mahathir said that the BN was now very well accepted and the people appreciated what the BN government has done for the country.

"I think the people are very friendly towards the BN and I think the BN stands a better chance this time than in 1999," he said.

On the power struggle in Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), Dr Mahathir said that the BN leadership did not make any decision on the matter.

The BN would wait for the decision of the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on the matter before taking any action, he added.