BN will give PAS appointed rep posts, says Melaka DAP chief

Melaka DAP chief Khoo Poay Tiong claims Barisan Nasional will appoint PAS representatives as appointed assemblymen should the BN-Perikatan Nasional alliance win the Nov 14 state election.

Khoo, the Kota Melaka MP, believed that PAS would not be satisfied with only being allocated two seats in the Melaka polls, even if the Islamic party wins both seats.

He claimed that state BN chief Ab Rauf Yusoh was using the appointed assemblyman positions to cut deals, even with MCA after its protest over initial seat allocations, Sin Chew reported.

“He is simply using the seven appointed assemblyman positions as bargaining chips for BN. When MCA protested, he used these positions to appease them,” Khoo was quoted as saying.

He claimed Rauf had already promised MCA two of the seven appointed assemblyman posts.

Pakatan Harapan withdrew from the BN-led Melaka government in July following the passage of a constitutional amendment to allow the appointment of up to seven unelected state assemblymen.

PH contended that the amendment was at odds with democratic principles, although Sabah, Terengganu and Pahang also allow this.

Rauf had defended the move, saying the posts would be allocated to experts and professionals.

BN is contesting 23 seats in the Melaka polls under an alliance with PN, which is vying for the remaining five.