Unrest Among Penang Pkr Grassroots Over Dap Attacks On Norlela

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Norlela Ariffin has come under attack by several DAP leaders over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Penang. (Facebook pic)GEORGE TOWN: A PKR grassroots leader has denounced chief minister Chow Kon Yeow for his failure to defend executive councillor Norlela Ariffin against attacks by several DAP leaders over her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Penang.
The leader, who asked for anonymity, told FMT that the attacks had left the PKR grassroots upset with DAP, and he said he was shocked that Chow had not defended PKR’s Norlela, who is chairman of the state health committee.
“Norlela is a member of your state exco and yet you decide not to say a word. Are you saying you approve of all these attacks against her?” the leader asked.
DAP leaders, including secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, have made open attacks against Norlela over her alleged subservience to federal authorities on vaccine matters.
Another PKR insider said the party had discussed the attacks at a recent meeting at which party leaders lamented the alleged undermining of Norlela’s role as health executive councillor with the appointment of Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim as Covid-19 liaison man between Penang and the federal government and senior exco member Phee Boon Poh to handle matters related to the health disaster.
“The appointment of the two men have got many asking if this was to usurp Norlela’s role,” the insider said. “What is the role of the health exco then?”
It was recently reported that Sim and Phee would play a supporting role and complement Norlela’s work.
Penang PKR has issued a statement in support of Norlela and the insider said this was because the chief minister and others in the government had “merely sat and watched”.
Penang PKR Youth also issued a statement telling Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee to stop criticising Norlela. DAP Youth shot back, saying Lee was free to say what he wished.
Norlela has accused Lim, Phee and Lee of bullying and of undermining her work. She asked what miracles they had achieved in getting case numbers down.
Phee and Lee have denied bullying her, saying team effort was needed in fighting the effects of the pandemic.
Another PKR insider said he believed Norlela had become a scapegoat in a proxy war between personalities in DAP and Chow.
“When you attack a state exco member, you are directly hitting out at the state government as a whole,” he said.
Penang PKR chief Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, however, told FMT that the misunderstanding had been resolved.
He said he met Chow recently and they agreed that the management of Covid-19 in Penang was a team effort and no one party could take credit for it.
“Rest assured that we are stronger than ever and we are maintaining cordial relations with DAP, especially Chow,” he added. - FMT

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