Penang hits pause button on debate to remove 4 assemblypersons
In light of the resurging Covid-19 pandemic, the Penang state government has put on hold a motion to force four assemblypersons that defected from Pakatan Harapan to vacate their seats.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this was to avoid holding by-elections that could jeopardise public health.
In light of the resurging Covid-19 pandemic, the Penang state government has put on hold a motion to force four assemblypersons that defected from Pakatan Harapan to vacate their seats.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this was to avoid holding by-elections that could jeopardise public health.
"We will proceed with the intended course of action at the next state legislative assembly session or when it is safer to carry out by-elections without jeopardising the citizens’ health and wellbeing," he told a press conference in George Town today.
Four assemblypersons had defected from the Pakatan Harapan-led Penang state government following the Sheraton Move in February.
They are Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifli Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) from Bersatu as well as Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh) whose memberships with PKR were subsequently suspended.
Penang had amended its state constitution to state that any assemblyperson who either switched parties, resigned, is sacked or removed from a political party would have to vacate their seats.
Independents who join a party would also have to vacate their seats.
Chow cited the impact of the Sabah state election last month which has contributed to a spike in Covid-19 infections nationwide.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article had mistakenly reported that the Penang government had not yet amended the state constitution.
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