MELAKA: Melaka Pakatan Harapan says it will go solo in the upcoming state polls and sit on the Opposition bench when the Melaka State Assembly reconvenes.
Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said all four assemblymen from the party as well as Amanah's Bukit Katil assemblyman Adly Zahari would officially sit on the Opposition bench when the state assembly reconvenes on Wednesday (July 15).
"This is our stand and it has nothing to do with the Johor elections or garnering support.
"Our decision was made because the Melaka State Assembly passed the Constitution of the State of Melaka (Amendment) Enactment 2026, which allows for the appointment of unelected state assemblymen and is contrary to democratic principles.
"It is also clear that we will move on our own," he said when asked about Pakatan's political cooperation with Barisan Nasional ahead of the next Melaka state election.
Khoo said Adly, who is also Melaka Pakatan chairman, would also sit in the Opposition bench.
He also said state entrepreneur, cooperative development and consumer affairs committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin, deputy executive councillors Low Chee Leong and Leng Chau Yen, as well as Melaka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Kerk Chee Yee had resigned from their positions with immediate effect.
"As Seah was part of the state executive council, it would not have been right for him to object to a motion tabled by the government.
"Therefore, as a matter of principle, we have all resigned from our positions in the state government," he said.
Khoo said the appointment of unelected state assemblymen was undemocratic.
"We are not against professionals contributing their expertise in governing the state but they could have instead be appointed as advisers," he said.
Pakatan has five Melaka assemblymen, Barisan has 21 and Perikatan Nasional has two.
The enactment to amend the Melaka Constitution to allow the appointment of nominated state assemblymen was passed with the support of 23 assemblymen, while five voted against it.
