POLITICALLY FRANK: Ex-Bertam Assemblyman aims to defend seat he was “wrongfully booted” from

SHAH ALAM - Penang Bersatu's Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq hopes to defend the Bertam state seat, following his removal during the 'Bersatu Four' outcome on March 6 earlier this year.

The former Bertam Assemblyman said he would love to be given the opportunity to contest for the seat he believes he was "wrongfully booted out" from earlier this year.

“I believe the people in Bertam know me and they have seen my commitment for the people of Bertam.

“But it all boils down to my party’s leadership and what they decide.

“As much as I want to contest, my party leaders have to say yes first,” he told Sinar Daily in an episode of Politically Frank this week.

However, he acknowledged that he didn't want to raise his hopes too high as the decision had not been announced yet.

On his participation in the Bersatu party election, he said he was currently taking things one step at a time.

“Let’s face the state elections first and then we talk about the party election. We will see then.

“Now the focus is on Bertam,” he said.

If chosen to contest, he said his campaign trail will focus on the social welfare and wellbeing of the people including bread and butter issues.

Khaliq added that he will also push for a clean and stable governance, which was the core principle of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Khaliq was appointed PN’s Penang Opposition Chief just three days before being forced to vacate his seat after a motion was tabled by the state assembly.

Khaliq, Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya), Zulkifli Ibrahim (Sungai Acheh) and Zolkifly Lazim (Teluk Bahang) were ejected from the state assembly after the House approved a motion to vacate their seats for party-hopping.

The four had won their seats in the 14th general election (GE14) under the PKR logo.

They were all deemed to have “lost” their seats after Bersatu left PH – following the Sheraton Move in February 2020 – based on the anti-hopping provision contained in Article 14A of the state constitution.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow earlier this month said the state will dissolve its state assembly on June 28 to pave the way for a state election.