Four of ‘PKR Five’ may be dropped

DAP allegedly pressuring party to pass backbenchers over for election candidacy

GEORGE TOWN: Four of the five PKR backbenchers who incurred the wrath of DAP leaders for abstaining during a vote on land reclamation may be out in the cold.

It is learnt that they are not on the candidate list as PKR is facing pressure from DAP not to field them.

The four are Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng, Batu Uban assemblyman Dr T. Jayabalan and Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen.

Sources said Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon would, however, be retained.

Dubbed the “PKR Five”, the assemblymen have been critical of the state’s reclamation policies and hillslope developments.

In November 2015, the five abstained on the land reclamation motion tabled by a Barisan Nasional assemblyman and were roundly criticised for their action.

Four other PKR assemblymen – Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Pantai Jerejak), Abdul Malik Abul Kassim (Batu Maung), Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Deputy Speaker Datuk Maktar Shapee (Sungai Bakap) – voted against the motion.

The other PKR representative is state assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, who is Bukit Tambun assemblyman.

Mohd Rashid, who is state PKR vicechairman, declined to comment on the four being dropped, saying he did not know how such information was obtained.

“The final decision lies with the party leadership.

“Everything will be known on April 25 when the list of PKR candidates is announced,” he said.

When contacted, Dr Norlela said she has a “fullygeared” team of members and supporters to campaign for her but was unsure if she would be chosen.

Cheah said he has not been informed of anything and that he is still performing his duties.

He has been sidelined since late last year and was barred from registering flood victims in Kebun Bunga for state government aid, with his duties taken over by Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng alleged that Cheah had not been performing well and that the people in his constituency were angry with him.

It is learnt that Penang Island city councillor Gan Ay Ling, 43, may replace him.

Jayabalan is not aware if he would be axed, while Ong could not be reached for comment.

Blogger and activist Anil Netto had lamented on the possibility of them being dropped.

He said the state should listen to dissenting voices who represent the people.