PKR’s Semambu assemblyperson Lee Chean Chung has been barred from attending the Merdeka Day celebration ceremony in Kuantan because of his suspension from the Pahang state assembly for criticising the state government.

Lee said today the state assembly prohibited him from attending the ceremony on grounds that he has been suspended by the House for two sessions.

Last week, Lee ( left ) received an SMS from the state assembly secretariat inviting him to attend the rehearsal and the formal state Merdeka celebration on Sunday.

"However, I received a phone call from state assembly secretary, telling me that the invitation given to me has been cancelled.

"I am not allowed to attend the ceremony on Sunday, given that I have been suspended for two sessions by the state assembly," Lee said in a statement today.

The Pahang state assembly late last year suspended Lee for two sessions for calling the Pahang budget surplus a “false” one.

Lee stressed that his suspension should have ended after the second sitting, which was held this month.

He also slammed the Pahang government for abuse of power by using other related laws to ban him from attending the Merdeka ceremony.

"I urge the state government to stop oppressing the opposition and to retract the unreasonable decision of preventing me from attending the Merdeka Day ceremony," Lee added.

Meanwhile, the Perak PAS Youth chief has criticised the selection of the venue for the state Merdeka celebrations in a building facing the KTM Bhd building, which he described as a "bangunan hantu" (poorly managed building).

Raja Ahmad Iskandar Raja Yaacob said it shows the lack of sensitivity of the state in choosing the venue for celebrations, which would see the presence of Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

Previously, he said the building was a hotel and it was not left abandoned. Efforts by various departments including government agencies had been made to revive the KTMB building.

"The state government should have quickly suggested to the federal government to develop the building in the interests of KTMB," he said in a statement.