GEORGE TOWN: Penang Gerakan has called on state PKR leaders to stand up and protect Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, to save their party’s image.
State Gerakan vice-chairman Oh Tong Keong said Norlela was a kind and honest assemblyman, who should be praised by Pakatan Harapan leaders.
"I believe that in Pakatan, only Norlela and Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu stand by the principle to speak the truth and voice out for the people, regardless of the consequences.
"As such, Penang PKR should protect such assemblymen and encourage other assemblymen to emulate their virtues," he told newsmen here today.
Norlela had been attacked and sidelined by her party members after she thanked Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for raiding an illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu, in her constituency recently.
She had said she was thankful that action was finally being taken against the factory after numerous complaints had been ignored before.
MACC later raided the Seberang Prai Municipal Council's licensing department office as well as state Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh's office in Komtar and service centre and two houses on mainland Penang.
Phee was subsequently arrested by MACC along with the 70-year-old factory manager and his 37-year-old son, a director.
Norlela, who has raised the Sungai Lembu illegal factory issue since 2015, had revealed that she had been sidelined and attacked by her fellow party members and Pakatan supporters over the matter.
Oh said Norlela had admitted that she was now fighting alone, experiencing emotional stress and getting negative comments daily from businessmen.
"Despite her dire situation, we do not see any Penang PKR leaders offering their support to Norlela.
"Instead, it is us, from Gerakan and Barisan Nasional, that have given our support to her, with our chairman, Teng Chang Yeow, even praising Norlela's bravery on the issue," he said.
So far, Oh said, only Teh had shown support to Norlela.
"Teh has had to fight alone and face a lot of criticisms from the state government but he has come forward to offer support to her," he added.
Meanwhile, Oh said the local authorities should play its role to help the people eliminate illegal activities in their community.