Prove your claims, Guan Eng tells division chief
Written by Regina William, The Edge
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants DAP Nibong Tebal division chairman Teh Hock Yong to prove his claim that he had spoken to Lim and other party leaders about DAP's Jawi state assemblyman Tan Beng Huat.
Teh had alleged that Tan was involved in irregularities involving an allocation for a charitable organisation in Nibong Tebal. Teh also alleged that he had raised the matter with Lim, Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow and deputy chief minister 2 Professor P Ramasamy but this was vehemently denied by all three leaders.
Teh claimed that he was told by Lim and also Chow not to report the matter to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"Even if he shows his itemised billings that he had made calls to me and other leaders, and vice versa, does it mean that he has raised the matter with us?" Lim said at a press conference attended by Tan and also Ramasamy.
"As far as I am concerned, we spoke on other matters, but never on this. This issue is clearly being blown up by certain media organisations."
Ramasamy also reiterated Lim's statement that Teh had never spoken to him (Ramasamy) as alleged by Teh but only spoke on other party related matters.
When asked if Teh would be issued a show cause letter by the party for his accusations and allegations, Lim said: "I will let Tan, who has been accused by Teh, to initiate the necessary action against him. We will not issue him a show cause letter."
Tan handed his undated resignation letter as the Jawi state assemblyman to Lim during the press conference to prove his innocence and willingness to step down, if Teh's allegations were proven.
Tan has also been questioned by MACC to shed light on the case.
Teh had alleged that he received a complaint from a committee member of Persatuan Amal Chin Chee Kok over the application for RM2,000 from Tan to buy a TV set, DVD player and instruments for the association's activities.
However, Teh claimed the equipment supplied to the organisation was only worth RM450.
Tan meanwhile showed the letter from the organisation seeking his help for RM2,000 in funds to buy the equipment and said as the state assemblyman, he had merely endorsed the application and submitted it to the Seberang Perai Selatan district office as it is not within his jurisdiction to hand over money or even buy the equipment for the organisation.
Tan is also initiating legal action against English daily New Straits Times for allegedly defaming him in an article published on June 11.
"While the other newspapers also wrote what Teh had alleged, the New Straits Times article has damaged my reputation and was malicious in intent," he added.
