Melaka DAP has announced its withdrawal from the state government, following the passage of a constitutional amendment allowing the appointment of up to seven unelected state assemblymen.
State chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said the party’s two state executive councillors, two deputy executive councillors and the deputy speaker would resign from their posts in the Barisan Nasional-led administration.
Amendment against democratic principles
Khoo said the amendment was fundamentally at odds with democratic principles, insisting that state assemblymen should be elected by the people rather than appointed.
“We do not deny the need for professionals and experts, but they should not become appointed assemblymen with the power to sit in the assembly and vote,” he told a press conference.
DAP’s role in Melaka government
DAP joined the state government when Abd Rauf Yusof became chief minister in 2023, and reshuffled the executive council to reflect the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional partnership at the unity government level.
