Azmin said the two assemblymen, both members of PKR, should not have had their contracts terminated for merely carrying out their responsibilities, adding that they had not made slanderous accusations.
The two men are Ong Chin Wen, who is PKR whip in the state assembly and assemblyman for Bukit Tengah; and Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng.
“The assemblymen used the platform of the state assembly to give their views and feedback. They were not being slanderous. What we (as a party) reject is the culture of slander or allegations,” he was quoted as saying today.
“But as state assemblymen, they gave their opinions and feedback, and this matter does not warrant any action,” said Azmin, according to Star Online.
The two men and three others from PKR had abstained on an Umno-backed motion to halt plans for a massive land reclamation project off the south coast.
Yesterday, Penang’s Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, was quoted as describing the two assemblyman as “backstabbers”. He accused them of reneging on an agreement to vote against the motion.
The five PKR assembly members had said they had voted by their conscience in the public interest. Land reclamation projects, wide-scale property development, and road widening works in Penang have caused a continuing public outcry.
Azmin, who is menteri besar of Selangor, spoke to reporters while at a Chinese New Year open house hosted by Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong.
He said the PKR central political bureau objected to the action against the two assembly members.
The bureau had written to the state government two weeks ago when a proposal was raised for the termination of the two men’s appointments as board directors of three state agencies. The bureau had called for proper discussions on the issue.
At the state assembly in November, the DAP’s Teh Yee Cheu, a noted environmentalist, had voted in favour of the motion, which had called for public hearings for land reclamation and suspension of all new reclamation plans until oceanic, environmental and social impact studies were carried out.
Ong, Cheah, Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Dr T. Jayabalan (Batu Uban), and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubuk) all abstained.
RELATED
Penang PKR demands explanation for govt sackings