Several posters criticising Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for his sacking of two PKR assemblypersons from their director posts in state government-linked companies have emerged in Bukit Bendera and Nibong Tebal.

The posters, with the message "Lim Guan Eng: Tak Patut Pecat (Should Not Have Sacked) Ong Chin Wen dan Cheah Kah Peng", also carry the mugshots of Lim, Ong and Cheah.

Asked to comment on the posters, Penang PKR chief Mansor Othman denied that his party members were responsible for the posters.

Mansor, a former Penang deputy chief minister, does not rule out the possibility that the posters may have been put up by Pakatan Harapan's enemies "to undermine the state government".

"We do not play such dirty games and we would not stoop so low," he told Malaysiakini .

Mansor ( photo ) appealed to PKR supporters to remain calm amidst the latest challenges facing the party in Penang.

"Please have faith in Pakatan Harapan's leadership in Penang. We will resolve this issue soon because we have the people's interest at heart," he added.

Bukit Bendera and Nibong Tebal - where the posters have been spotted - are parliamentary seats held by DAP's Zairil Khir Johari and Mansor respectively.

Ong, who is state PKR whip, is the Bukit Tengah assemblyperson, while Cheah holds the Kebun Bunga seat, which comes under Bukit Bendera.

Duo reneged on state decision

Lim said Ong and Cheah were dropped from their GLC company posts as he no longer has "trust and confidence" in them after they reportedly reneged on their decision to vote out an Umno motion on land reclamation at the state legislative assembly sitting last November.

The duo were among five PKR representatives who abstained from voting against the motion that called for the land reclamation projects to be stopped.

The five said their decision was based on "conscience and public interest".

Cheah said he was axed for speaking up against mega-projects in Penang that go against public interest, but vowed to continue doing so despite being "defamed" by DAP supporters.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who is also Selangor menteri besar, has pledged the full support of the party for Cheah and Ong, saying PKR would appeal their sacking.