Guan Eng: We will carry out state probe on Jawi ADUN
(Suara Keadilan) – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his administration would hold an internal inquiry into allegations that Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat had misused state funds.
Penang finance officer Farizan Darus was now looking into the case and would submit a report in a week’s time, he added.
Meanwhile, the chief minister praised Beng Huat – who has already submitted an undated resignation letter – for his willingness to take responsibility in the event that he was found guilty
“Stern action will be taken on him if he is guilty,” Guan Eng told a press conference on Friday.
He denied claims by Beng Huat’s accuser, Nibong Tebal DAP chief Teh Hock Yong, that he had been kept informed of the MACC report the latter had lodged against Beng Huat.
“He can repeatedly claim a thousand time that he had informed us. But this does not mean it is true,” said Guan Eng, however adding that despite the scandal Hock Yong would not be punished for blowing the whistle on Beng Huat.
Beng Huat to sue NST for defamation
Two months ago, Hock Yong had lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, alleging that the Jawi assemblyman had misappropriated RM2,000 of state funds.
He accused Beng Huat of overcharging for the purchase of a karaoke set for MCA-based charity organisation Persatuan Amal Chin Chee Kok. According to Teh, the set was only worth RM450.
But according to Beng Huat, the money was also spent on a 39-inch television set, a DVD player and an air-conditioning unit for the South Seberang Perai district office.
The MACC has taken statements from both men. It is unclear if they will charge Tan.
“I did not touch a single sen of the allocation. The state treasury directly reimbursed the sum for the district office. I only approved it under my constituency allocation and was never involved in the purchase deal,” said Beng Huat.
He claims he was being defamed by his political foes and plans to sue the New Straits Times over two articles that appeared in Friday’s edition.
According to him, the articles entiteld ‘DAP rep denies any wrongdoing’ and ‘Penang government faces expenses scandals’ tarnished his image.
“After proper consideration, I have decided to sue the newspaper,” he said during the joint press conference with Guan Eng.
