Seberang Jaya assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin said he will sit as a Bersatu representative when the Penang state assembly convenes.
He said he has been sacked from PKR by the party’s political bureau.
Afif was suspended from PKR in April pending an investigation by the party’s disciplinary board.
“Since the Pakatan Harapan state government has put me as the opposition, I will be sitting as a Bersatu representative in the coming state legislative assembly sitting,” he said.
It is unclear whether Afif has formally submitted his membership to Bersatu.
The latest development came less than 24 hours after Dr Afif and several PKR and Bersatu assemblymen met with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Putrajaya yesterday.
The others were Bersatu’s Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishak (Bertam), Zolkifly Md Lazim (Teluk Bahang) and PKR’s Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh). Also spotted at the meeting was Pas’ sole representative Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (Penaga).
The Star cited Afif as saying he had informed Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin of his seating plans.
“To serve my constituents better, I need to get support from the federal government,” he was quoted as saying.
Khaliq and Zolkifly have since voiced their support for Bersatu, under Muhyiddin’s leadership, which prompted the Penang Pakatan Harapan government to announce that it would table a motion at the next state legislative assembly sitting to compel the duo, who withdrew their support for the administration, to vacate their seats.
The move is in line with Section 14A of the Penang Constitution where any defecting elected representative is required to vacate their seat.
The Penang Pakatan Harapan Leadership Council, which met last month, had also decided that following the latest development, Dr Afif – who has often been seen as Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s staunch supporter – Khaliq and Zolkifly were no longer part of the state government.
The Penang government had also suspended the allocations and privileges of the trio.
When contacted, Zolkifly maintained that he was still a PKR member and said he would leave it to the party leadership to decide on his fate.
“As far as I am concerned, I did nothing wrong in meeting with the prime minister. Even PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with the prime minister recently,” he said.
Zolkifly said during yesterday’s meeting with Muhyiddin, several issues were raised such as the ongoing court cases involving several politicians as well as issues affecting his constituents.
“I am satisfied with the prime minister’s explanation of the ongoing court cases.
“I also asked the prime minister to assist the farmers in my constituency amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he would leave it to PKR to resolve its internal matter and to take the necessary action against those who act against the party’s interest.
“By and large, the Penang Pakatan Harapan government still has a strong majority. We will continue to work with this strong mandate given by the people to us.
“Whatever is happening (the meeting between the PKR and Bersatu leaders and the prime minister) will not affect our oneness and stability of the state administration,” he added.