Countering DAP criticism of the Johor state assembly’s motion to provide for five nominated members, Puad said the Johor assembly had properly passed the constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority and in accordance with protocol.

He reminded Nga of the time he took part in a Perak state assembly sitting conducted under a tree in 2009. He said Nga was a state executive councillor at the time who lost his post when Pakatan Rakyat lost its majority in the assembly after three PR assemblymen quit their parties.

“Nga then attended the assembly sitting conducted under a tree on March 9, 2009. Was that constitutional and democratic? Was that not a backdoor move?” Puad said in a Facebook post in response to Nga’s criticism of the Johor amendment as being unconstitutional.

Nga said the provision for nominated members of the assembly would allow politicians to become assemblymen via a “back door”. He said PH would embark on a signature campaign to protest against the decision.

However, Puad said such a campaign was unconstitutional in itself, saying such signatures “could be exploited”.