Penang PKR assemblypersons will be joining the rally in Kuala Lumpur organised by the coalition Kita Lawan although they are required to attend a state-wide senior citizens programme.

Penang executive council member Dr Afif Bahardin (below) said state assemblyperson were not issued a directive not to attend the rally to demand the release of jailed PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is jailed five years for sodomy.

To be held in front of the Sogo Shopping Mall from 4pm to midnight tomorrow, the rally is also to seek the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"We urged everyone to attend the rally tomorrow. We - as in state reps in Penang - were not issued an order or given a warning not to attend the rally," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He denied that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had issued a "warning" to the state reps not to attend the rally but ensure their presence at the annual senior citizens cash award presentation in their respective constituencies tomorrow.

"CM merely emphasised that our presence was needed at the event especially in Permatang Pauh in view of the impending by-election," he explained.

"Besides the senior citizen event is in the morning - for tomorrow and Sunday - and the rally is in the late afternoon," he noted.

‘I can be at three places in a day’

Earlier today, Lim said he would not be attending the rally as he has to carry out state duties, including attending the senior citizens programme, which he launched in 2009.

Lim said since the two day event involves the people, and its date was earlier fixed, it should be a "priority".

Coincidently, PKR will also hold its party convention in Shah Alam tomorrow.

He claimed that the PKR reps like Afif and Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon would be in Shah Alam but would return to Penang on the same day.

Rashid, who is Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, was not available for comment.

Another state executive council member from PKR Abdul Malik Kassim (right) said he can be in three places in a day and yet attend the senior citizens do the whole day on Sunday.

"I will attend my party convention rally and the senior citizens event," Malik, who is Batu Maung assemblyperson said.

"I don't know why people are making a fuss over it. We know the significance of each event," he added.

"I have assigned around 22 people to make sure the distribution of cash award to senior citizens in my constituency process will run smoothly," he stressed.

‘You have to kill me to stop me from going’

Malik echoes an Machang Bubok assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon that his constituency was well prepared to handle the cash distribution, and he does not forsee any problems in the area.

State PKR deputy chief Law Choo Kiang confirmed his attendance, saying that all his colleagues will join the rally without further ado.

"There is nothing to be surprised about (us joining the rally), although it would be strange if we were absent," Law (left) quipped.

"Perhaps some non-PKR members may not feel the pinch, but those who are deeply concerned about the state of the nation and the need for reforms will understand the real meaning of this rally," said the Bukit Tambun assemblyperson.

The Penang legislative assembly speaker had even remarked: "I love senior citizens, but I also love 307 (the date of the rally tomorrow)."

Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Ong Chin Wen echoed Afif's statement, that there was no special directive to him to remain in Penang for the senior citizen event.

He said his constituency was well prepared to handle the distribution of the RM100 cash award to the elders.

PKR assemblypersons Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga) and Maktar Safee (Sungai Acheh) also confirmed their attendance tomorrow.

"You would have to kill me to stop me from going to save my country," said Cheah.