The five PKR assemblypersons who abstained from voting out an Umno motion on reclamation last year are planning to spring a surprise in the Penang Legislative Assembly tomorrow.

It is learnt that an emergency motion on reclamation will be jointly tabled by the five - Cheah Kah Peng (PKR-Kebun Bunga), Norlela Ariffin (PKR-Penanti), Lee Khai Loon (PKR -Machang Bubok), Dr T Jayabalan (PKR-Batu Uban) and party whip Ong Chin Wen (PKR-Bukit Tengah) (photo).

They are joined by Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah), who previously backed the Umno motion on reclamation when it was tabled and debated in November last year.

Teh, who was then DAP’s state organising secretary, withdrew his support after 30 minutes.

It is learnt that the emergency motion to be tabled tomorrow will also be backed by BN and other Pakatan Harapan elected reps.

"It if happens tomorrow, this would be the first time that a move for the benefit of Penangites are to be supported by both sides of the political divide," said an elected representative, who declined to be named.

Norlela, declining to explain further, said "It will be a surprise and it will be a bang".

It is learnt that the motion calls on the state government not to approve the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan until the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report is completed.

The state is also requested to seek alternative forms of funding instead of reclamation involving three artificial islands, to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan.

'Monitor DEIA'

The emergency motion proposes the DEIA to be monitored and reviewed by the Penang Transport Council before any reclamation works begin.

It also proposes that the state seek a feasible and sustainable funding model including federal funding for the project.

The most important feature of the emergency motion is that it proposes that Teh and the five PKR assemblypersons be included into the Penang Transport Council.

The emergency motion will be read out by Penang executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow and seconded by Norlela.

The initial drafters of the emergency motion were Norlela, Cheah (photo) and Lee.

A reliable source said this surprise will take the "winds out of Umno's sails" and thwart the party's plan to cause a rift between DAP and PKR over their differing views on the reclamation issue as it will be deemed a state government motion.

The source said the move will prevent the five from making a 'U-turn', they can continue to keep in line with their party's stand but still maintain their own as they had previously said that they abstained from voting the Umno motion due to "conscience and public interest”.

"The backbenchers and state government have managed to find a solution to their problem," the source added.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng held a meeting at 6.30pm at the state assembly yesterday with Teh and the five PKR reps, while other Pakatan Harapan reps joined the meeting as well.

After an hour, they came out of the meeting looking cheerful, and proceeded to the hall for their dinner.

Asked to comment about the meeting, Lim declined.

Recently, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali directed the five to toe the line and support the Penang government's policies.

The five PKR rebels were earlier labelled as “traitors and backstabbers” to Pakatan Harapan in Penang.

As a result, Cheah and Ong were dropped from their directors’ posts in government-linked companies in Penang.

The purported "surprise" (emergency motion) will take place during the debate on the motion filed by Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) tomorrow evening.

This is Farid's second motion on the issue where he urged the state to cancel the 4,000 acres of land reclamation, and seek alternative funding for the Penang Transport Master Plan.

The PKR representatives will invoke Section 34 (1) of the Standing Order to amend Farid's motion.

It is learnt that Speaker Law Choo Kiang has agreed to allow the motion to be debated.