GEORGE TOWN: More messages of support for Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin are pouring in from various quarters after she was penalised for exposing the Sungai Lembu illegal factory issue.
Gerakan vice chairman Oh Tong Keong said although the issue occurred in PKR’s stronghold of Permatang Pauh, not one of Penang PKR’s nine assemblymen supported Dr Norlela’s cause.
“Why isn’t there even one PKR assemblyman who willing to come forward and speak up for the residents of Permatang Pauh?
“What are they afraid of? Are they afraid they would also be attacked by DAP if they support Norlela? ” he asked in a press conference here, today.
Oh said the PKR assemblymen’s silence on the Sungai Lembu illegal factory issue was an irresponsible act.
“Are they willing to see the residents’ health continue to be affected? Why are these young assemblymen acting so cowardly and afraid to come forward and explain what has happened to the people? ” he said.
Oh said he was confident that Norlela would be sidelined by the party following the issue, just like Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu in the past.
“It is clear to see that Norlela had been attacked and sidelined following this issue.
“I am sure very soon, she will be cast aside just like Teh, who has been very vocal about environmental issues,” he said.
Oh said while he felt sad over what was happening to Norlela, he hoped that she would continue speaking up for the truth and not give up.
“I have and will continue to support Norlela in this illegal factory issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Norlela’s husband Muhamad Pauzi Ramli took to Facebook in support of his wife’s struggle.
In a Facebook comment, Pauzi said Norlela has fought for the Chinese-majority Sungai Lembu constituents without taking into account of their race.
Pauzi said Sungai Lembu was located behind Bukit Mertajam, between the border of Penanti and Kulim, and consisted of mostly low- and middle-income Chinese families.
“The 168 residents, who submitted a petition after suffering from pollution from the illegal factory, are Chinese.
“In fact, the state environment committee chairman, who was arrested, is also a Chinese, as are a majority of those in the state government.
“The irony is that the Penanti assemblyman, who is fighting for the fate of the residents, is a Malay Muslim woman and wears a headscarf. But she has continued to fight for the people regardless of their race and religion,” he said.
He said for Norlela, what was important was the well-being of the residents and for their problems must be solved.
“This is should be the basis of Pakatan Harapan’s fight if they want to take over Putrajaya. ‘Fikir fikirkan lah’ (food for thought), “ he said.