Jawi rep threatens to quit

(The Star) – Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat has tendered a undated letter of resignation to the party and will quit the state seat if the allegation that he misused a RM2,000 allocation for a karaoke set was found to be true.

The letter was given to Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow during a press conference at the party’s headquarters here Thursday.

At another press conference, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng claimed that Nibong Tebal DAP chairman Teh Hock Yong, who made a report on the matter with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that the karaoke set was only worth RM450, did not get along with Tan.

Lim also said both he and Chow Kon Yeow were not informed of the issue.

"He has never lodged any complaints to us. What I know is that he does not get along with Tan," he said.

Lim also said the district office would be answerable if the allegation was found to be true.

He said district offices released the funds and did the purchase once an application was approved by assemblymen.

He said Tan merely approved a sponsorship application meant for the Persatuan Amal Chin Chee Kok and was not involved in buying the karaoke set.

"Does Tan benefit when the purchase was done by the district office?

"The role of the assemblymen is only to approve applications.

"If the allegation is true, then the district office would have to answer because they were the one who disbursed the money and did the necessary purchases," he said.

He said he has directed State Financial Officer Farizan Darus to investigate the matter.

Lim welcomed MACC to investigate his men for corruption once a report was lodged.

"As far as corruption is concerned, the state government and the party have never prevented anyone from exposing corruption or lodging reports on it.

"If there are wrongdoings, there would be no cover up. We would not hesitate to take stern action, including sacking members and elected representatives," said Lim.