PETALING JAYA: It appears unfair to snub the four assemblymen who triggered the collapse of the Perikatan Nasional-led Melaka government, says PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
"They contributed to the fall of the state government. It's not right if we suddenly ignore them.
"I understand there are strong views about them from some Pakatan Harapan leaders. I am not defending anyone but what I am trying to say is to look at it objectively," said Shamsul.
Shamsul was referring to Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, Datuk Nor Azman Hassan and Azman Hassan, who were invited to an pre-election event at Hotel Muzaffar organised by Melaka PKR on Monday (Oct 18) night.
Norhizam was given a warm welcome but DAP openly declared that it would object against Norhizam contesting under Pakatan's banner.
Shamsul said it was just a normal function that was approved by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"It was a normal pre-election event organised by Melaka PKR to drum up morale ahead of the state election.
"Such events were organised during past elections for the party president to deliver their keynote addresses and guidance to the grassroots.
"Idris and the three others were invited to show that they are a part of the Opposition," he said.
Meanwhile, Shamsul said the Pakatan presidential council is expected to decide whether the coalition's logo or PKR's will be used in the polls.
He also said the Pakatan presidential council would soon decide on its chief minister candidate.
Shamsul also indicated interest in contesting the Paya Rumput state seat, currently held by Bersatu's Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen but said that seats would be finalised by the coalition soon.
In March 2020, Norhizam and Rembia assemblymen Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis defected from Pakatan, causing the collapse of the state government.
Norhizam then joined the Perikatan Nasional government when it came to power in March 2020.
Earlier on Tuesday (Oct 19), Norhizam said that he would defend his seat as a PKR candidate under the Pakatan coalition, claiming that the party's top leadership have accepted him.
However, in a press conference earlier, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the coalition would not accept Norhizam back as a member.
The Melaka state polls will be held on Nov 20 and Nomination Day is on Nov 8.
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