PETALING JAYA: The two Penang PKR assemblymen, who were sacked from their positions at the state government-linked companies (GLCs), should not have been reprimanded for expressing their views, said Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The Selangor Mentri Besar said the assemblymen should not be sacked for merely doing their job, adding that they were not slanderous.

Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen and Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng were sacked for abstaining from voting against a land reclamation motion put forward by Umno last November.

“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.

“But as state assemblymen, they gave their opinions and feedback, and this matter does not warrant any action,” said Azmin at Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong’s Chinese New Year open house here on Sunday.

He said that when there was a proposal to sack the assemblymen from the GLCs two weeks ago, the PKR central political bureau had sent a letter to the Penang state government asking to hold proper discussions on the issue.

Azmin said PKR’s central political bureau objects to any actions taken against the duo.

Ong and Cheah were among five PKR backbenchers who had abstained from voting against 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.

The three other PKR backbenchers are Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Dr T. Jayabalan (Batu Uban) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubuk).

Ong had been sacked from his director’s posts in Penang Invest and Island Golf Properties Bhd, a subsidiary company of Penang Development Corporation.

Cheah had been terminated from his director’s position in Penang Hill Corporation.-thestar