Penang government invites Umno’s Arif Shah to join committee

A Barisan Nasional member of the Penang State Assembly, Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, has been invited by the Pakatan Rakyat state government to sit in one of its committees.

Chairman of the state committee on freedom of information, Abdul Malik Abul Kasim said Arif Shah was invited to sit in his committee, together with representatives from other sectors, including academicians and media practitioners.

“I’m made to understand that he has received our invitation letter but has yet to give his decision,” he told a press conference here today.

Abdul Malik, who is also the State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, said the invitation to Arif Shah had nothing to do with politics, but to enable the state government to share his views in channelling information to the public.

Arif Shah, when contacted, confirmed having received the letter and that he had referred the matter to the Penang Umno Liaison secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim for the next course of action.

“I’ll abide by whatever decisions made by the leadership,” he added. – Bernama