GEORGE TOWN – By-elections are not necessary for four state seats in Penang that were vacated after their representatives were booted out of the state assembly for party hopping, the Election Commission (EC) said.
EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said that there is no need for by-elections because constituencies are nearing the end of their terms, in accordance with Article 19(5) of the state constitution.
He confirmed that the EC has received a letter from the Penang assembly speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang notifying the commission of the vacancies for Seberang Jaya (N10), Sg Acheh (N21), Bertam (N2) and Teluk Bahang (N40).
The respective assemblymen, Dr Afif Bahardin, Zulkifli Ibrahim, Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq and Zolkifly Lazim, were expelled from their seats after the assembly voted by a majority on a motion to boot them out for breaching the state’s anti-party hopping laws enacted in 2012.
The four had won their seats as Pakatan Harapan candidates but jumped to Bersatu-Perikatan Nasional after the Sheraton Move in 2020.
The state assembly’s motion to expel them had been brought against them earlier, which the four took to court, but lost.
Penang is also due to hold its election this year, as are five other states – Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu – as they did not dissolve their assemblies together with Parliament for the 15th general election in November. – The Vibes, March 7, 2023
