PKR’s Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Cheah Kah Peng has been told to use the legal avenue if he views his removal from the board of Penang Hill Corporation as illegal.

Cheah and Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen were sacked from their posts on the board for reneging on PKR's decision to vote out an Umno motion on land reclamation projects on Penang Island at the November sitting of the Penang state assembly.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's political secretary Wong Hon Wai said this after Cheah said his removal was a "mistake".

Cheah said this at a press conference yesterday, but Wong said the attempt by Cheah to justify his action three months after his dismissal "is not a responsible behaviour".

Wong ( photo ) said before the state assembly sitting last November, assemblypersons from Pakatan Harapan attended a pre-council meeting, on Nov 4.

At the meeting, Lim had stated the stance of the state government to oppose the motion raised by Umno.

"PKR backbenchers, including Cheah, did not voice their views nor objection to the state government stand.

"All the 29 Pakatan Harapan assemblypersons attended the pre-council meeting, except the Penanti representative (Norlela Ariffin), who was on medical leave," Wong said.

During the six-day session of the state assembly, he said, there was ample time for Cheah to raise his concerns, whether in the debate or during informal discussions.

He claimed Cheah also did not inform his stand to the three PKR state executive councillors in the Penang government.

Wong said Cheah did not participate in the debate during Umno's motion and the Harapan assemblypersons came to know his stand only after he abstained from the motion.

He added that Cheah did not inform his colleagues in the government during the pre-council meeting that he would go against the collective decision.

'A betrayal of trust'

"This is a betrayal of trust and no different from a stab on the back," Wong said, echoing the words used by the chief minister.

During the press conference yesterday, Cheah claimed there was no opportunity for him to participate in the state assembly debate.

"This is a lie," Wong said, adding that state assembly speaker Law Choo Kiang gave ample time and freedom to each and every assemblyperson to participate in the debate.

Wong also said Cheah tried to claim credit for public forums on the Transport Master Plan.

"This is again his own imagination and not true. He has kept quiet in the assembly debate and never made such suggestions," Wong said.

He said this in response to Cheah's claim yesterday of being penalised for questioning the mega land reclamation projects initiated by the state and for voting in the state assembly based on his conscience.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has come to the defence of the Cheah and Ong, and has sent Lim a letter to appeal against his decision to remove the two from their posts.

Wong also said the core area of Penang Hill falls under the state constituency of Air Putih and not under Kebun Bunga, as claimed by Cheah. Chief Minister Lim is the assemblyperson for Air Putih.

He said the other adjoining areas of Penang Hill fall under the constituencies of Air Itam, Teluk Bahang, Pulau Betong and Kebun Bunga.

"Cheah's argument that the voters of Kebun Bunga will be denied the opportunity to participate in the management of Penang Hill Corporation is unfounded," he added.