GEORGE TOWN: PKR's Kebun Bunga assemblyman Cheah Kah Peng (pix) has been "exempted" from handling the registration of flood victims eligible for financial aid in his constituency.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would take over the duties from Cheah.
"I will answer all questions on this issue after the closing of registration," said Lim at Komtar on Thursday when asked why Cheah was not given the task.
"Let's focus on the registration as we need to get the names of all the victims," he said.
The registration is for the RM700 relief for flood victims which will be given by the state government.
Cheah, who confirmed receiving an email on the decision from state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus on Nov 20, however, said he was surprised by the move.
He said he had asked Farizan for the reasons for the move but had yet to receive a favourable reply.
He said that it was all right if the move was to punish him but that it affected the people of Kebun Bunga and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) members who have been working to provide assistance to the eligible flood victims.
"We are not playing politics and I am needed here to serve the people that have voted for me," he told reporters at the JKKK Rifle Range service centre.