PAS Penang leadership has expressed regret over the misunderstandings which arose following councillor Iszuree Ibrahim's alleged criticism of the state government on its squatter policy.

This follows a meeting between PAS and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Oct 2 over the state's decision to drop Iszuree from three subcommittees in the Penang Municipal Council.

Lim, who is DAP secretary general. had left the matter to PAS to discuss.

State party deputy commissioner I Mujahid Yusof Rawa said PAS had tried to handle the case cautiously to achieve the right outcome for all.

Mujahid ( right ) said the party had considered all perspectives, from maintaining unity in PAS and its allies in Pakatan Rakyat, to addressing public opinion on this issue.

"We also acknowledge that part of Iszuree's speech may have led to misunderstandings although his intentions were good," Mujahid said a press conference today.

Mujahid said state PAS leaders have discussed the matter thoroughly on Oct 3 and had decided on several resolutions.

This included acknowledging development problems in Penang especially on the island. Although they are being addressed by the state government, there is room for improvement, he added.

"PAS is willing to work together with the state to improve its effectiveness," he said.

"Our meeting also acknowledged that the state Pakatan council has not met for a long time which meant that problems of the administration, parties and people cannot be addressed properly for the future of Penang," he added.

"We feel it is only appropriate that we take full responsibility for Iszuree's speech and we are willing to rectify the situation," Mujahid stressed.

Budget allocations frozen

He said it was now up to the state government to reinstate Iszuree into the Penang Municipal Council subcommittees.

 

When he was dropped, the budget allocations for Iszuree had also been frozen.

 

19 MPPP councillors, Iszuree's colleagues had also signed a petition for his removal.

 

Iszuree had slammed the state government for being undemocratic while the MPPP was criticised for dropping him without an internal inquiry.

 

But Lim's political secretary Wong Hon Wai ( left ) said Iszuree was appointed by the state and was not an elected representative, when questioned why he was not personally asked to clarify his remarks.

 

Iszuree, who heads the PAS state land bureau, had claimed he was misquoted by Malaysiakini which published his speech headlined 'PAS delegate: Penang pro-developer, like BN' on Sept 19 during the party's muktamar in Johor.

 

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