‘Do not plant the seed of hatred’

GEORGE TOWN: Do not stir up racial politics or religious insensitivity in the august House – that’s the warning from Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to all the 40 newly-elected state assemblymen.

He reminded the representatives to act and speak based on facts and mature principles, and not to in any way inculcate hatred, racial politics and religious insensitivity when carrying out their duties.

“I urge and stress to all those elected that they should not even once plant the seed of hatred, be it racial politics or things that are sensitive to religion.

“We must make the state assembly the best example of a field for us to fight for good things and for the benefit of the people in Penang.

“We are given the mandate by the people, and we cannot take it lightly but to carry out initiatives, efforts and debates maturely to continue to develop the state,” he said at a press conference after the swearing-in of all 40 state assemblymen at the state legislative assembly here yesterday.

Chow said that despite their different ideologies, the rule is to maintain harmony and unity in the state.

“It is this stability that will and can continue to lead Penang to the pinnacle of success that we have carved out for the past 15 years,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sungai Dua assemblyman Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff, who was seated in the Opposition leader’s seat, said none of the 11 Opposition members – seven from PAS and four from Bersatu – have been appointed to the role yet.

“The matter is still in discussion and the Perikatan Nasional leadership will decide on the candidate by the next state assembly meeting in November,” he said.

Muhammad Fauzi, who is Penang PAS commissioner, said the party and Bersatu have submitted names, including his and Zulkefli Bakar’s; the latter is a Penanti assemblyman and Penang Bersatu chief.

Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz, who was appointed the new Deputy Speaker, said he expects fellow assemblymen to be rational and professional during the assembly sittings.

“We expect the debates to be tense but as they are elected reps, the assembly will be the best medium for them to raise issues.

“I hope there will be no provocation on sensitive topics that may raise disharmony and for all to be rational and professional in addressing any matters,” he said.

Earlier, all 40 took their oath of office before State Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang, who was reappointed for the third term.

In the Aug 12 state polls, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance won 29 seats while Perikatan grabbed 11.

Chow, the state Pakatan chairman, was then sworn in as chief minister for the second term.

On Aug 16, 10 members of the Penang state executive council took their oath of office at Dewan Sri Pinang.