Norlela hits back at PKR comrade over Penang exco line-up comments

(NST) – Two PKR assemblymen have been engaging in a heated exchange over the line-up of state executive council members.

Earlier today, Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin hit out at Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin after he told her to voice her concerns through party channels instead of in the media.

She pointed out that efforts were made to lobby for him to be made deputy chief minister through the media prior to the announcement of the line-up.

“If I should not use the media, then that should not have been done either,” Norlela told the New Straits Times today.

“For his information, I did raise my concerns about the line-up internally however no answer was given to me.

“The statement I made after the announcement was a sign of solidarity.

“It was a show of support for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Amanah Negara members who felt left out as their representatives were not given seats in the state executive council. It was not an attack on state leaders.”

The 10 state executive councillors were sworn in earlier this week, seven from DAP and three from PKR.

Norlela’s statement that the line-up was not balanced and only benefited one party was supported by Penang PKR chairman Datuk Mansor Othman.

She said state executive council positions were shared fairly in the other states won by Pakatan Harapan (PH). Positions in the federal cabinet, she added, were also shared in a balanced manner.

As such, she said, the PH presidential council should ensure that positions in the Penang government were distributed fairly as well.

“Only Penang maintains the status quo, following the line-up from 10 years ago. We should be a good example to others.

“What if one day Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad comes here and asks for a PPBM executive councillor? Who are they going to show to him? These are my concerns,” Norlela said, adding that party representatives should be more open to criticism.