Guan Eng rapped for his remarks — again
(The Star) – Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has again come under fire for his remarks, this time for saying that he would not forgive the Penang Club for cancelling a book launch that he was scheduled to officiate.
State MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan said such words should not have come from a chief minister’s mouth.
“As a chief minister, that was too rude. The club has a right to non-political involvement. Lim, as a lawmaker, should know that.
“He has to abide by and respect the club’s decision and forgive,” said Lau.
According to online news reports, Lim was scheduled to launch former journalist Kee Thuan Chye’s book Ask for No Bullshit, Get Some More at the club on Feb 28.
It was reported that the club told Kee it did not want to be “politically aligned”.
Lim said at the book launch at another venue on Saturday that he could forgive the club on a personal level, but he could not as the chief minister.
“Tiada maaf bagi mu (No forgiveness for you),” he was quoted as saying.
State Gerakan vice-chairman Wong Mun Hoe said it was not good for the chief minister to keep having quarrels with people.
“For example, just because some non-governmental organisations had an alternative view to the proposed undersea tunnel project, he labelled them as dangerous NGOs’.
“This is a dangerous label. Just because they disagree with his view, they are dangerous,” he said, adding that Lim should not take it personally when others do not support or agree with him.
“Could he explain what he means by not forgiving the club as the chief minister?
“Is he trying to say that he is not a revengeful person, but on the other hand he would use the state administration’s power to take revenge on the club?
“When I read a statement like that, I get very upset.
“I don’t expect my chief minister to talk like that.
“Whether I like him or not is another matter,” said Wong.
When contacted, Penang Club’s lawyer Bala Mahesan said there had been a misunderstanding on the issue and he had been instructed to clarify the issue with Lim in the next few days.
“The club president, committee members and members extend their humble apologies to the chief minister,” he said.
