He refuted claims that Goh is an independent lawmaker.

Khoo said DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng’s letter to Malacca State Assembly Speaker Othman Muhamad, dated March 8, 2016, merely stated he was the state’s new Opposition leader, replacing Goh, and that Bandar Hilir assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew was appointed as the DAP chief whip.

“Goh’s membership was merely suspended for a year. He was not sacked.

“Therefore, he is still a DAP assemblyman,” Khoo said in a statement

Khoo, who is also the Ayer Keroh assemblyman, pointed out that on March 15, he wrote an official letter to Othman suggesting seating arrangements for DAP.

“In the letter, I suggested letting Goh sit in the same row with all DAP members.

“His seat was proposed third placing, after the Opposition leader and DAP chief whip.”

He said he was told by Othman that Goh was asked to be seated on the same row as the independents.

Earlier today, Bernama reported Othman as saying that Goh was now an independent assemblyman.

The national news agency also reported Goh as saying in a separate news report that he was “inclined to the people” when reporters asked if he was pro-government or pro-Opposition.