GEORGE TOWN: There was plenty of commotion during the tabling of the motion to vacate the seats of four assemblymen at the State Legislative Assembly here.
Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) whipped out his phone and started recording the sitting, pointing his phone in the direction of Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman as he tabled the motion.
Despite cautions by state Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, Afif protested stating it was allowed in Parliament.
Law then had to point out that the state legislative assembly was not Parliament and he was not free to record the sitting.
"There is a public recording of this and it is being aired. You can obtain footage there.
“Please stop recording, Yang Berhormat (referring to Dr Afif), do respect my status as the speaker. Please sit down,” Law had to stress during the first sitting held at the state assembly building in George Town, Penang on Monday (March 6).
Afif was later cautioned again as he was seen recording others debating the motion.
The four, Dr Afif, Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh), Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Telok Bahang), were present during the tabling of the motion which was the first order of the day at the assembly.
Their status has been left hanging since the Sheraton move in 2020 after the four joined Perikatan Nasional.
Zulkifli and Dr Afif won their seats on PKR tickets but joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia while Khaliq Mehtab and Zolkifly are still with Bersatu, which they were elected under.
During the debate, Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat) said the main point was that it was clear the four had hopped parties.
"They withdrew their support for the coalition that they contested under during the 14th General Election.
"People voted for them under the Pakatan Harapan ticket," he said.
Khaliq, who was chosen to speak as the Opposition, said they were representing the people who voted for them.
"We look into their needs and question when there are discrepancies.
"I have served the people in my constituency to the best of my ability despite being part of the Opposition now," he said.
Khaliq then said that when he contested, Pakatan Harapan was not a registered coalition and it did not give out membership cards.
"Pakatan Harapan is not a party, it is a coalition of parties.
"I only have a membership card for Bersatu.
"What can the four of us do against you (referring to the rest).
"The people who voted for us will not forget the cruelty that has been done today," he said.
Khaliq said as they were chosen by the people, it should be the voters that decide their fate.
Law then allowed the other three to state their case before the motion was passed.
