PAS’ sole assemblyperson in Penang Salleh Man insists on staying put as a representative of the Pakatan Harapan state government despite the party today declaring that it is the opposition in the state.

The Permatang Pasir assemblyperson has not received any official directive on the matter and has yet to meet any of the state party members about his status in Penang.

“Such directives must be in black and white.

“I am a member of the state government. I support the Pakatan Harapan government; how am I to be the opposition?” Salleh asked, when met at the state legislative assembly today.

“Whether I am an opposition or not depends on speaker (Law Choo Kiang),” he added.

When told that PAS secretary Takiyuddin Hassan made the announcement following the sacking of 300 village development and security (JKKK) committee members from PAS Penang, Salleh was unperturbed.

When met by reporters in Parliament lobby in Kuala Lumpur today, Takiyuddin said PAS had no choice but to act as the state opposition, following the state government’s move to sack its members from the JKKKs.

However, he denied that PAS would join forces with Umno, which holds 10 seats in the northern island state.

Salleh remains adamant in his position although he has been pressured to make a stand to state his allegiance since Monday, when the state assembly reconvened to debate the 2016 Penang budget tabled by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Nov 6.

“It is up to the party; let’s see their reaction later,” said Salleh, who is also the president of the Penang Islamic Council (Maipp).

Salleh reiterated that he won his Permatang Pasir seat due to the cooperation between PAS, DAP, and PKR; the trio formed Pakatan Rakyat after the 2008 elections.

Following PAS’ decision to cut ties with DAP, Lim announced that Pakatan Rakyat is dead, and proceeded to rename Penang as Pakatan Harapan state government, which includes PAS splinter party, Parti Amanah Negara.

“We launched a joint manifesto, and I won the seat based on that although I am from PAS.

“Although PAS has cut ties with DAP, PAS is still an ally of PKR, and there is where I am stuck,” he added.

Waiting for letter

Asked if he would comply with the directive from PAS to also declare himself an opposition assemblyperson, Salleh said, “Let’s wait for it first”.

Asked if he would join Amanah, Salleh said he is unable to do it as he is morally bound by his support for the anti-hopping law passed at the state assembly.

Asked if he were waiting to be sacked from PAS so he could join Amanah, Salleh merely laughed.

Meanwhile, House speaker Law Choo Kiang said he has yet to receive an official confirmation from PAS on whether Salleh should switch seats to the opposition side of the assembly hall.

“If there is official confirmation, we will do it, after all, it’s just a change of seats, which were initially arranged by the state assembly secretary,” he said.

“I need an official confirmation, what if tonight or tomorrow PAS changes it mind?” he queried.

State opposition leader Jahara Hamid urged PAS to issue the House speaker a letter informing him about Salleh’s status immediately.

“By right, Salleh should be in the opposition seat as PAS and DAP are no longer allies, and Pakatan Rakyat does not exist anymore,” she said.