Karpal: Explain comment

(NST) – DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has asked Datuk Mansor Othman to give a better explanation for his “cocky, arrogant tokong” comment.

He said a video recording of Mansor, who is also Penang deputy chief minister, making the comment when talking about Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, had revealed more than what he had previously explained.

However, even though he had called on Mansor to clear the air, Karpal played down the effects of the remark that many had been speculating had driven a wedge between Mansor and Lim.

“This is a matter that can be resolved between the two individuals internally. I am confident that it will be resolved before the general election.

“This is not a serious matter that constitutes serious concern,” the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament said after his visit to the Farlim market here yesterday.

When asked to comment on Lim being described even before this as arrogant by other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including former state Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim and Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng, Karpal said the DAP secretary-general was no such character.

Karpal said he had known Lim for a long time, since the latter was 8 years old.

“We were even locked up together in Kamunting. I was also his lawyer for many years. As far as I know, he is not arrogant. Perception can be misleading sometimes and it is so in this case.”