Penang BN State Assemblymen Stage Walkout


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(NST) – All nine Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen staged a walkout after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng refused to retract his statement that all Hindu shrines will be threatened if Umno returns to power.

Lim (DAP-Air Putih) made the remark during the discussion on the recent demolition of the Sri Muniswaran Temple by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB), and again called on PPSB chairman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang), as well as Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to apologize over the demolition. 

Lim also asked for action to be taken against the officer involved.

“If you’re wrong, then apologize. This is something to do with religion. If this can happen before the general elections, if Umno returns to power, I feel that all Hindu shrines are threatened,” Lim said.

The statement, made when A Tanasekharan (DAP-Bagan Dalam) touched on the issue of Hindu temples and shrines in his debate on the motion of thanks, riled the Opposition assemblymen, who immediately stood up, raised their voices and called on Lim to retract the statement.

Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain then said Lim had used the words “Saya rasa” (I feel), but Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Permatang Berangan) was not happy and stated that Lim cannot hide behind those words and shirk his responsibility.

Lim attempted to quell the fiery situation by saying “mungkin terancam” (may be threatened), but that did not stop the BN representatives from walking out of the state assembly.

Meanwhile, at a press conference later, Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga) said Lim’s statement was irresponsible and can cause strife.

“He is not qualified to be the Penang Chief Minister. We can argue on the political aspect, but don’t ever cause racial strife here.

“I challenge him to make the statement beyond the boundaries of the house. Don’t hide behind the immunity you have,” Azhar said.

Azhar added yesterday was the day Penangites would regret voting in such a government.

Shabudin asked Lim to step down as Chief Minister, while Hilmi expressed his disappointment and anger over the matter.

Hilmi further stated that the matter on the shrine will be discussed at the upcoming PPSB meeting.

 



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