KUANTAN: Lawyer Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly, who was among the five assemblymen appointed to the Pahang State Legislative Assembly yesterday, has shot down allegations that the appointments were "politically motivated".
The Syarie lawyer said the five appointed assemblymen were professionals from different fields and would contribute their expertise and work closely with the Pahang government for the betterment of the state and the people.
The state Parti Amanah Negara chairman said the appointments should not be made an issue and the focus should be on how the appointees could complement and work with elected representatives.
"The appointed assemblymen consist of a former banker (Rizal Jamin), a religious school founder (Datuk Ahmad Irshadi Abdullah Al-Qadri), a lawyer (Haris Salleh Hamzah) and a businessman (Datuk Wong Tat Chee).
"We will ensure the state government's policies are implemented to strengthen Pahang."
Fadzli, who has contested in four general elections since 2004 under the Pas and Amanah banners, said his new role would be challenging as the five appointed assemblymen have not been assigned to "take care" of any constituencies and would cover the entire state.
"My experience in the opposition will be helpful. Serving the people is not new to me, as I have been helping them over the years.
"My role back then (in the opposition) was to serve as part of the checks and balances system.
"But now as part of the unity government, my role will be more on implementation.
"My focus will be on serving minority groups, including the Orang Asli, with whom I have developed a close relationship as a lawyer, and in areas where the unity government does not have an elected representative in Pahang."
Yesterday, the Pahang state assembly approved a motion to appoint Fadzli, Pahang PKR deputy chairman Rizal, Temerloh MCA division chief Wong, Jerantut Umno division chief Haris and Tengku Ampuan Afzan Maahad Tahfiz founder Ahmad Irshadi as assemblymen. They will be sworn in at the next sitting in August.
The five assemblymen can participate in debates and have the right to vote on motions, but are not eligible to be appointed menteri besar or state executive council members.
Pahang opposition leader Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Beserah assemblyman Andansura Rabu, both from Perikatan Nasional, pointed out that the appointments would involve additional expenditure and that the appointees were "actively" involved in politics.
Rizal, who spent 23 years in banking specialising in information technology and data, said the appointed assemblymen were professionals who also had political backgrounds.
"Claims that the appointees are not professionals are inaccurate.
"Dr Ahmad is an expert in Islamic jurisdiction, while Fadzli is a practising Syarie lawyer.
"So each of us has expertise that we can contribute.
"My background will allow me to look into matters concerning information technology, cybersecurity and IR 4.0 (Industrial Revolution 4.0).
"I am looking forward to contributing ideas and efforts to realise the Madani economy aspirations at the state level and the national Madani framework."
Rizal said he planned to set up a service centre in Lipis to help people in western Pahang where the unity government did not have elected representatives.
Wong, who lost the Mentakab state seat in the last general election, said to serve the people better, he would reopen his service centre in Mentakab.
"The service centre will allow people to drop by if they need help. I believe having a base will allow me to serve the community better."