Story by Amanda Khong
THE Chief Minister’s political secretary, Wong Hon Wai, recently took Kebun Bunga assemblymember Cheah Kah Peng to task over certain allegations the latter had made regarding his removal from the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) board.
“I believe that it is a big mistake what the Penang Hill Corporation has done, and may even be illegal, corporately speaking. My forced removal from PHC, which makes up part of my constituency, is ultra vires and a hasty act,” Cheah had said at a Feb 24 press conference.
During the last State Assembly sitting in November last year, five assemblymembers abstained from voting against the motion by Pulau Betong assemblymember Muhamad Farid Saad to oppose land reclamation projects in the state.
Cheah was one of the five and has said his stand was based on his own conscience.
“Penang Hill Corporation has nothing to do with the seafront reclamation, the chairman nevertheless chose to force me out of the PHC board,” Cheah had added in his press conference.
In an immediate response, Wong issued a press statement on Feb 25 to refute Cheah’s allegations.
“The core area of Penang Hill is under the state constituency of Air Putih. Other adjoining areas are under the Air Itam, Teluk Bahang, Pulau Betong and Kebun Bunga constituencies. Cheah’s argument that the voters of Kebun Bunga will be denied the opportunity to participate in the management of PHC is unfounded,” stated Wong.
The state assemblymember for both Teluk Bahang and Pulau Betong are also not directors of PHC.
Wong added that Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari is a director of PHC and he is rightly qualified to represent the interests of the voters in Kebun Bunga as well.
A pre-council meeting was held before the November assembly sitting and all matters related to the state assembly sitting were discussed.
“The Chief Minister of Penang stated the stance of the state government to oppose the motion raised by Farid but Cheah did not voice out his views nor object to it,” said Wong.
“Cheah said he did not have the chance or enough time to raise his concern but during the six days in the assembly there was ample time for him to raise his concerns whether in the debate or during the informal discussion with his colleagues,” added Wong.
Wong said this is irresponsible behaviour from Cheah as he is trying to justify his actions three months after the incident.
“He did not inform his government colleagues and went against a collective decision in the pre-council meeting. This is a betrayal and no difference from ‘a stab in the back’,” Wong added.
Cheah also stated during his press conference that there was no opportunity for him to participate in the assembly debate.
“This is a lie. The State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Law Choo Kiang, gave ample time and freedom to each and every assemblymember to participate in the debates and there were days when the meeting was carried on until 11pm. Seven assemblymembers participated in Farid’s motion debate but not Cheah,” rebutted Wong.
“If Cheah Kah Penag is of the view that his removal from the board of PHC is illegal, then he perhaps could use the legal avenue to prove his claim,” Wong said.