Assemblyman in assault case loses post after formal request from PKR
GEORGE TOWN: For the first time in recent Penang political history, a sitting politician has been removed from his post as a state executive councillor after being charged with a criminal offence.
PKR assemblyman Fahmi Zainol has been terminated from his role as Penang’s agro-technology, food security, and cooperative development committee chairman with immediate effect, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced yesterday.
“I met him early this morning, and he accepted this decision,” Chow said at a press conference.
Fahmi, 35, is a first-term assemblyman representing the island constituency of Pantai Jerejak.
He was recently suspended from his political positions within PKR pending the outcome of his court case.
His appointment in August 2023 had made him the youngest member of the state executive council.
The move has drawn attention because, historically, other leaders charged in court, such as former chief minister Lim Guan Eng, remained in office on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty”. When asked about the difference, Chow explained that there was never any letter from the relevant parties requesting action at that time.
“In this case, there is a formal letter from PKR requesting his removal,” he said.
Penang PKR deputy chairman Goh Choon Aik will take over Fahmi’s portfolio as the new state executive councillor.
Chow said that Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib had approved the Bukit Tambun assemblyman’s appointment as a member of the council.
Any reshuffle of portfolios will be announced after Goh is sworn in tomorrow, Chow added.
On Sunday, PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh confirmed that Fahmi was suspended with immediate effect after being charged in a Magistrate’s Court in Balik Pulau on Feb 27 with voluntarily causing hurt to his wife.
Fahmi has since appealed to PKR’s top leadership to withdraw his suspension, arguing that taking action on unproven court charges could set a damaging precedent for the party’s future.
He was charged with intentionally causing hurt to his wife, Nur Hidayah Abd Jabar, 35, at a house in Persiaran Pantai Jerejak 11 at about 10pm on Feb 22.
