PKR rep barred from managing flood aid applications

A Penang PKR lawmaker who is among the "PKR 5" who earned the ire of the state government after abstaining from voting on an Umno motion on land reclamation in the state assembly, two years ago, has been "barred" from handling the registration of flood victims eligible for financial aid.

Malaysiakini sighted the Nov 20 letter from State Secretary Farizan Darus to Kebun Bunga assemblyperson Cheah Kah Peng, which said the latter was exempted from the matter after a discussion with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"Please be informed that you are not on the list of those who will manage the applicants (of the RM700 aid).

"With immediate effect, you are no longer responsible for the applications," the letter read.

According to the letter, the task will be taken over by Lim, who is also the Air Putih assemblyperson, as well as Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey and the Village Development and Security Committee.

Cheah was not told of the reason why he was barred from helping his constituents register for the aid, which will be given out the end of December.

Farizan is not available for comment, while Cheah declined to confirm the matter.

Cheah and four other PKR assemblypersons - Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok), Dr T Jayabalan (Batu Uban) and party whip Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah) - had a tiff with Lim after they abstained from voting against the Umno motion to halt all reclamation projects, back in 2015.

Lim was upset and accused the five of trying to sabotage the Penang government, but they insisted that they voted based on conscience.

Following this, Cheah was dropped as director of the Penang Hill Corporation.

At the recent state assembly meeting on Nov 10, Cheah had also strongly questioned the corporatisation of the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that PAS Permatang Pasir assemblyperson Salleh Man has also been barred from handling the flood aid applications.

Salleh, the sole PAS assemblyperson in Penang, is currently on medical leave due to an eye operation.

The RM700 flood aid will be given to households which have been registered with the state government, following the Nov 4 and 5 floods.The deadline for applicants to submit their names is Dec 16.

The registration can be done online or can be made at the state rep's service center.-Mkini