Melaka speaker: DAP Opposition leader now an independent
MELAKA: Goh Leong San, former opposition leader in the Melaka state assembly, is now an independent assemblyman, said Speaker Datuk Othman Muhamad.
Goh, who previously represented DAP, is the assemblyman for Duyong. Goh had been suspended for one year reportedly for disparaging the party.
Othman said Ayer Keroh assemblyman Khoo Poey Tiong of the DAP was the new opposition leader while Bandar Hilir assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew was the chief whip for the opposition.
“I received a letter from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on this matter,” he said at the opening of the first meeting of the fourth session of the 13th Melaka State Assembly at the Seri Negeri Complex here yesterday.
The meeting was opened by Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.
Media reports had mentioned a rift among DAP members in Melaka, with one side supporting the state leadership under Goh and the other supporting the central DAP leadership under Lim.
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly hall, Othman said he received a letter from Goh asking permission to change his seat in the assembly hall to that next to Bukit Baru assemblyman Dr Khalid Kassim of PAS, last week.
“I called him and told him that if he were to sit next to Bukit Baru ( Dr Khalid), he would have to be an Independent assemblyman, and he said yes.
“The opposition leader ( Khoo) had earlier proposed for Goh to sit at the number three seat (in the opposition block) due to his seniority in the assembly as he had been there for five terms, but he said no and insisted to be seated next to Bukit Baru,” he said. – Bernama