Undemocratic And Childish Psm Slams Bersatu Duo S Termination As Reps

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PSM today criticised the Penang state assembly's decision to terminate two elected state assemblypersons from Bersatu.
The socialist party’s deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan (above) described the move as "totally undemocratic, childish and a gross injustice" and warned that it would reflect negatively on Penang Pakatan Harapan.
“Penang Harapan is so stable that they don't need to do a stunt like this as they will only lose support, bad publicity and bad precedent.
“It shows how low one can go to show the arrogance of power,” he said in a statement.
The former assemblypersons mentioned were Khalid Mahtab Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Lazim (Teluk Bahang), who won their seats in 2018 under a PKR ticket as Bersatu members.
Yesterday, they were dismissed alongside Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Aceh) after the Penang legislative assembly passed a motion to vacate their seats.
Afif and Zulkifli also won their seats under a PKR ticket but as members of the party. The two joined Bersatu in 2020.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon YeowPenang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the motion was tabled following a Federal Court ruling that Article 14A in the Penang constitution against party-hopping passed in 2012 was valid and consistent with the Federal Constitution.
Two of Bersatu’s big guns, secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin and supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan, jumped on board to criticise the move.
Hamzah said the termination of the two Bersatu assemblypersons was an abuse of power, highlighting how Article 14A of the Penang state constitution could not be applied as the duo had never resigned from the party nor did they join another political party.
Similarly, Wan Saiful called the motion “a black mark in Penang's history”, mirroring Hamzah’s statement and lamenting that the state assembly’s opposition bench is left with one representative. - Mkini

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