Unacceptable for PKR assemblymen to be absent for senator motion, says Anwar
Tuesday, 26 Nov 20191:26 PM MYT
By MARTIN CARVALHO, HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM, RAHIMY RAHIM and TARRENCE TAN
KUALA LUMPUR: It is unacceptable for two PKR assemblymen to be absent in the state assembly for the motion to vote in Melaka PKR chairman Datuk Halim Bachik as a senator, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).
Asked if action will be taken, the PKR president said he will meet the two assemblymen - Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin (Machap Jaya) and Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis (Rembia) - on Tuesday (Nov 26).
“I’m in touch with them. I’m supposed to meet them today or communicate with them.
“That is of course not acceptable, because they have to respect the decision of the state and our position is they must support the Chief Minister’s decision, ” he said on Tuesday.
This incident came following worsening ties between the factions of Anwar and his PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
According to reports, Lim and Muhammad are known to be linked with Azmin, while Halim is linked with Anwar.
“Infighting or not, the decision of the state and the party must be respected, ” said Anwar to reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Nov 26).
During the Melaka state assembly meeting on Monday (Nov 25), a motion proposing the appointment of Halim was rejected after 13 Barisan assemblymen opposed the motion while 12 from Pakatan Harapan supported it.
Aside from the absence of Lim and Muhammad, DAP’s Gadek assemblymen G. Saminathan was also not present and excused from attending the proceedings due to his detention under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Melaka Speaker Datuk Wira Omar Jaafar described the rejection of the motion as a “sad and shameful” episode, as it sets a bad precedent when assemblymen from the ruling party do not show up to support a motion tabled by the Chief Minister.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/11/26/unacceptable-for-pkr-assemblymen-to-be-absent-for-senator-motion-says-anwar#p9EyLq2ZdHr8x0Wz.99
