GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government will allow the appointment of “Adun angkat” (adopted assemblymen), who will be several members of the state assembly, following the vacancy of Seberang Jaya, Sg Acheh, Bertam and Teluk Bahang seats.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government decided to take this measure to manage the constituencies during the vacancy period.
“The state government has taken action to enable the appointment of ‘Adun angkat’ consisting of several assemblymen to manage the areas.
“This action is also taken so that the people and voters do not feel marginalised, and are protected by the state government with the same allocation in their respective areas,” he told the state assembly sitting here today.
He was replying to a question from Lim Guan Eng (PH-Air Putih).
The Penang assembly yesterday approved the motion to declare vacant the seats of four assemblymen in the state.
The assemblymen, namely Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Zulkfili Ibrahim (Sg Acheh), Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq (Bertam) and Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang), were ordered to leave the state assembly sitting at midday after the majority of assemblymen voted in favour of the motion.
State assembly Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang said that the unexpectedly vacant state seats would not be filled as the state assembly would be dissolved in less than two years. – Bernama, March 7, 2023
