GEORGE TOWN: Penang PKR has been told to review its relationship with DAP after its Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng was barred from handling the flood aid registration here.
People’s Alternative Party (PAP) vice-president Rahmad Isahak said this is to ensure the party does not continue to be “fooled” by its ally in Pakatan Harapan.
He said it was evident PKR was being sidelined by the DAP-led Penang government.
“Their (PKR’s) reputation and integrity is at stake. The party cannot be seen to be weak anymore just to protect their own political power in the state government.
“It is time they review their relationship with DAP,” the former DAP member told the New Straits Times today.
Rahmad also accused DAP of being arrogant and belittling PKR despite the latter holding ten seats in the state legislative assembly.
“PKR can no longer voice their dissatisfaction through the media.
“They should translate their dissatisfaction into action to teach DAP a lesson for the interest of the people.
“Failure to do so means the party will always be in the shadows of DAP, and will continue to swallow their pride to maintain their political power,” he added.
Rahmad also said it is possible for PKR to give in to DAP’s demand for more seats in the 14th General Election.
He said should this happen, DAP will be to win retain the state government with a simple majority alone.
Yesterday, Penang PKR chairman Datuk Mansor Othman lashed out at the state government for excluding Cheah and giving the duty to DAP's Pulau Tikus assemblyman Yap Soo Huey instead.
This raised questions about the possibility of trouble brewing between both parties in the state.
Mansor had described the move as undemocratic and insisted that Cheah, as the rightful elected representative, should handle the registration of flood aid.
He had said the state government’s excuse that the decision was based on “internal procedural changes” was difficult to comprehend and had tarnished the togetherness of Pakatan Harapan.
On Nov 20, Cheah received an email from State Secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, informing him that he had been exempted from handling the RM700 flood aid registration of victims at his constituency, which was affected by the major flood on Nov 4.
On Thursday, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told newsmen that he and Yap would take over the duties for the Kebun Bunga constituency.
Lim had said that the move was part of "internal procedural changes" to ensure that the aid could be distributed effectively to all victims.