PAS lawmaker took a leaf out of Umno’s playbook, claims DAP
(Malay Mail Online) – Temerloh MP Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi’s claims of impropriety in the award of the Penang Tunnel project is reminiscent of Barisan Nasional propaganda, a DAP lawmaker said today.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said Nasruddin’s attack on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is shocking at a time when political rivals in Umno and BN have stopped questioning the Penang administration’s handling the project.
Tantawi’s attack and Lip Eng’s response highlight worsening relations within the three party Pakatan Rakyat coalition as tussle over the mentri post in Selangor wears on. PR, controls both Selangor and Penang.
“Why is Tantawi so adamant on attacking and questioning his own political allies? Is it so difficult to check facts with his Pakatan Rakyat colleagues, especially his PAS colleagues, in Penang?” Lip Eng said in a statement.
On Wednesday, Nasruddin said the RM4.63 billion tunnel project in Penang got off lightly compared with the heavily criticised Kinrara-Damansara Exchange project in Selangor
He had claimed that the Selangor project was awarded to Construction Zenith BUCG Bhd through direct negotiations, adding that Lim’s leadership pushed Penang into six years of budget deficits.
PKR has been using the controversial Kidex project against Khalid in their bid to replace him with party President Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as mentri besar.
Guan Eng, who is also DAP secretary-general, on Thursday gave Nasruddin 24 hours to apologise and retract his allegations or face legal action. It is understood that Nasruddin has not responded to Guan Eng’s demand .
Lip Eng today said that Guan Eng had sufficiently explained the Penang state government’s position on the tunnel project, and stressed that Nasruddin’s indiscretion cannot be allowed to pass without consequence.
“I urge my colleagues in PAS to not remain silent, and voice their objections against the allegations raised by Tantawi.
“To remain silent and accepting of the allegations that have been woken from their slumber will surely be seen as eroding PAS’ commitment towards Pakatan Rakyat and raise public suspicion on the sincerity of their thalluf siyasi (principle),” Lip Eng said, referring to PAS’ principle of political consensus.
