Uproar over Penang transfer

(The Star) – THE state assembly was in an uproar after a Barisan Nasional representative brought up the matter of an “abrupt transfer” involving a female senior staff member in the Penang Government.

Datuk Gan Tian Loo (BN Duyong) was debating a motion on the Bersih 3.0 rally when he asked Betty Chew Gek Cheng (DAP Kota Laksamana) to “enlighten” the assembly on the transfer of the woman, who had previously served with the Penang Chief Minister’s office.

Chew is the wife of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“It’s not a secret anymore. The issue of the woman was posted all over cyberspace.

“Could YB please answer my questions related to the former staff of the Penang Chief Minister’s office?” he said.

Gan claimed that he was asked by many people to raise this issue.

“They even asked me to bring it up in Malacca. Do you know this woman, YB?” he said.

However, Chew did not reply.

Instead, both she and Khoo Poay Tiong (DAP Ayer Keroh) challenged Gan to repeat his statement outside the assembly.

Asking for the reason for the woman to be transferred to another government department in Penang, Gan said: “If there is an affair between a man and a woman, it is normal biologically.

“There’s no need to be afraid,” he said, triggering another row with the Opposition lawmakers, who accused Gan of bringing up issues unrelated to the motion.

Later, declining to comment on the allegations, Chew maintained that she did not know anything about the matter.

“If you all want to know, ask the MCA representative who raised the issue to elaborate,” she said, repeating her challenge to Gan to make a press statement.