GEORGE TOWN – Four Bersatu assemblymen have decided to boycott the engagement session with the state government, citing double standards in allocations.
In a joint statement issued today, Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, Sungai Acheh assemblyman Zulkifli Ibrahim, Bertam assemblyman Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq, and Teluk Bahang assemblyman Zolkifly Md Lazim said they were informed about the session with the state’s exco today and tomorrow.
“We would like to state our stance to boycott this engagement session, following the biased action of the Penang government which has withdrawn the allocation approved on January 20 to the opposition assemblymen amounting to RM60,000 through a letter issued on February 19. The allocation is very important for every assemblyman to implement infrastructure projects for public and public facilities.”
The Penang government decided to play politics and had behaved unprofessionally against the opposition regardless of the challenges faced by the people, they said.
“We urge the Penang government to stop punishing the people and not play politics at a time when the majority of the people were still facing a health and economic crisis.

“We, the opposition assemblymen, will continue our service and to strive to obtain allocations from the Perikatan Nasional federal government which is more caring and does not discriminate in implementing programmes and activities meant for the people.”
Despite the snub by Bersatu, all three Umno and PAS assemblymen were present at today’s session. They are Penang Opposition Leader Datuk Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (Sungai Dua – Umno), Nor Hafizah Othman (Permatang Berangan – Umno), and Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (Penaga – PAS). – The Vibes, March 29, 2021.