PKR vice-president Tian Chua today stressed that the party stands behind its five Penang elected representatives who abstained from voting on a motion in the state legislative assembly last year.

Chua said this in defence of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who said the party would defend two out of the five representatives who were sacked from posts in state government-linked companies for abstaining from the vote.

"I hope Lim understands that this is not Azmin's personal opinion but the stance of PKR as a whole," he said.

He was referring to Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who ticked off Azmin for "interfering" in state administration matters.

Lim said he removed Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Ong Chin Wen and Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Cheah Kah Peng from the director posts because he could no longer trust them.

The duo were among state assemblypersons who abstained from voting on the motion tabled by an Umno state legislator on sea reclamation.

Lim accused them of "backstabbing" him after they had gone against a promise to vote against the motion tabled in the November sitting.

"There is no reason PKR would undermine the achievement of the Penang government.

"Even if differences in viewpoints arise, they are motivated by goodwill and guided by the spirit of mutual respect," Chua said.

The Batu MP also urged that the issue be resolved at the Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting.

"Let the issue be resolved in a civil and amicable mood. Our ability to overcome differences is the key to instil confidence in the people that our partnership can lead the nation forward to a brighter future.”