DAP lawmakers are free vote according to their conscience on matters of public interest in PKR-led Selangor government, PKR party whip Johari Abdul announced today.

He said this after meeting five Penang PKR lawmakers who created controversy when they abstained from voting on a motion at Penang legislative assembly last week.

In their motion, the opposition wanted the Penang government to conduct comprehensive studies and public consultations first before sea reclamation projects in the state were approved.

The motion failed to garner to required number of votes (at least 21 out of 40).

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who leads the DAP-majority state government was said to be upset with the action of the five. Lim's own party comrade, Teh Yee Cheu, the Tanjung Bungah assemblyperson, voted for the motion.

He has since apologised for his mistake and quit his party post as state organising secretary

The PKR five were Penang party whip Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), T Jayabalan (Batu Uban), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok), Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga) and Norlela Ariffin (Penanti).

Johari said voting by conscience was the way forward for a parliamentary democracy should be practised widely by the opposition.

Asked if DAP could do the same in PKR-led Selangor government, he said 'yes'.

"Yes. This is a good precedent when comes to matters of public interest. You have a conscience, you feel this involves the future of the people and their security, so why not ?" he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

He reiterated the party's stand in agreeing with the five state assemblypersons in Penang.

Not 'internal mutiny'

He also said that the party has listened to their explanations and was satisfied with the reasons which led to their choice.

"The issue has been considered as resolved," he said, adding he hopes Lim would also considered the matter settled.

The instruction by Ong in his capacity as Penang PKR whip to abstain from voting was approved by the party, said Johari.

"After hearing the explanation from our lawmakers, we are satisfied with their explanation and decision," said Johari, adding this was not about a political motion but rather an environmental one and a matter of public interest.

He said Lim's accusation that PKR lawmakers supported Umno's motion and was an act of internal mutiny, did not arise.

Johari, who is also PKR parliamentarians and state assemblypersons coordination bureau chief said he had met Lim personally on the matter and would meet the latter again.