The motion, tabled by Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, was passed by a majority vote without the presence of opposition assemblymen who walked out of the hall in protest.
Semambu assemblyman Lee Chean Chung of PKR was not among them as he is away, attending a seminar abroad.
Wan Rosdy, proposing that Article 18 of the state constitution be amended to enable the appointment of five nominated assemblymen, said the amendment was not politically motivated but people-oriented.
He said the amendment states that the appointment of the assemblymen must be made on the motion by seven assemblymen and be approved by a simple majority.
The nominated members can participate in debates and have the right to vote, but are not eligible to be elected as menteri besar or appointed as members of the State Executive Council.
He said the appointment of nominated assembly members was to provide better services to the people, especially during the unprecedented Covid-19 situation.
“These appointed assemblymen can reduce the ratio of an assemblyman to the total population in Pahang because we are a large state. This is to complement each other and there is no overlapping of roles.
“We see their opportunity to serve and it needs to be brought to the State Legislative Assembly to justify their professional qualifications before they can be appointed,” he said. “Nothing unusual with the appointment because Sabah and Terengganu have done it.”
He said the amendment was discussed at the exco meeting on July 22 and the post-exco meeting on Aug 3 which was chaired by the state secretary who also agreed with the proposal.
Bilut assemblyman Lee Chin Chen was the first to protest the motion saying that the appointment was against the principles of democracy as those who did not get the people’s mandate through elections could be in the Pahang state assembly. He described it as a “back door” decision.
Echoing the same sentiment, Ketari assemblyman Young Syefura Othman said the decision involved financial implications, adding that the small number of opposition assemblymen would not effectively provide check and balance to the state government administration.
Former Pahang menteri besar Adnan Yaakob who is also Pelangai assemblyman said the move was appropriate as it enables professionals from minority groups to be appointed as elected representatives and to raise the issues of their community.
The state assembly sitting was later adjourned.