DAP rep wants to stay ‘Opposition MP’ at heart

MELAKA: A DAP lawmaker wants to remain as an “Opposition MP at heart” within the ruling government by exposing any government wrongdoings and raising issues affecting the people.

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said he would not keep silent or brush aside unsavoury issues, even if it involved his own colleagues.

“I am now a public servant and I will continue to champion the cause of the people as before, although now I’m part of the Government.

“Money and power are only temporary. But remember, ‘karma’ works instantly,” he said during his speech at an appreciation dinner event organised by Shah Beach Resort in Tanjung Kling here on Saturday night.

The dinner was organised to honour Khoo for helping to resolve several cases last year as the state Opposition Leader.

Khoo said he was humbled by the support from the people and pledged to ensure the rakyat will witness a transparent administration.

“I am more afraid of losing the trust of the people than to curry favour with my peers,” he said.

Khoo reminded the Pakatan Harapan leaders of the hardship and the rejections they faced when they were the Opposition.

His speech came in the wake of allegations of power abuse against several Melaka executive councillors.

Several messages have been circulated on social media accusing exco members of snubbing their electorates, making intimidating calls to government officials as well as attempting to sell honorific titles to businessmen.

The state government was also taken by surprise by the sudden resignation of Melaka Development Corporation (PKNM) CEO Datuk Seri Ruslin Hasan on July 19.

Ruslin was the former Kuala Lumpur mayor and contested as a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia candidate in the Ayer Limau state constituency during GE14. He was offered the CEO post by Chief Minister Adly Zahari after he lost in the elections.

Ruslin, in his explanation letter to Melaka state secretary Datuk Wira Roslan Ibrahim, stated that he could no longer tolerate “being pushed around” and had decided to relinquish all his positions in the state government.

He also claimed that his ties with a state exco member had soured after he sent PKNM key representatives to attend post-exco meetings.

Melaka Industry, Trade and Investment committee chairman Mohd Rafiq Naizamohidden said Ruslin should have attended the post-exco meetings as his input as CEO was vital for the state to spearhead its development plan.