Letter to Editor re Lim Guan Eng’s Pinhorn Road House
Colin Tan
The Chief Minister has not properly handled the recent disclosure that CM Lim Guan Eng bought a bungalow at below market price.
The series of bizarre responses given by LGE is evidence that he is like a drowning man clutching at any straw to stay alive. Amongst some of the excuses offered, include:
* The absence of a swimming pool (which does not validate the undervalued selling price)
* The age of the bungalow (first stated by CM Lim in his tweet as a 40-year-old bungalow and then corrected to 30-year-old bungalow when Malaysian News reposted his tweet). The fact that LGE is uncertain about that fact underscores the fact that it is the MARKET VALUE that is important, not the age of the bungalow.
* A challenge to Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya to meet him on a one-on-one basis at his office in front of the media to provide evidence of the allegations exposed at Parliament last week.
The absence of LGE’s famous “You report- I sue” maxim fizzled into thin air this time as a flurry of various vernacular and English presses reported on this issue.
Previously, his reaction would be quite vehement but this time, it seems he has been cornered because evidence exposed in various reports last week points in the direction of a link between the Taman Manggis land sale and the low purchase price he paid for this bungalow.
If at all the allegations were UNTRUE, he would have:
1. Shown the S & P agreement listing the name of the seller and other details of the purchase
2. Shown the shareholders of the Taman Manggis project and how the seller of that bungalow is NOT at all involved in that development project
3. Shown the documentation of the bank loan he took.
The fact remains he did NONE of the above.
His absurd reasons have added fuel to the fire and escalated speculations. That he could hold a one-way press conference whereby NO QUESTIONS were entertained purportedly because he was awaiting Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya to meet him.
Penangites and concerned Malaysians want to know why his course of action has been so evasive and appear as a strategy to buy time.
Why did he not meet the MACC immediately to give them all the relevant documents even before he has been summoned? What is the point of summoning Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya to his office to provide evidence of his allegation?
Previously, his penchant to sue can be seen in how he showed no mercy to sue other media including FMT and Athi Shankar. Why the delay this time? Why is he extending an olive branch? Is it that he does not know what evidence is in the hands of Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya and is using the one-on-one meeting to solicit details before he sues?
Any innocent man would call for expert testimony from those involved in the sale of the property.
Any educated person would know that the value of prime land property is based on many factors including land area, the state of the building, renovation, market value of neighbouring units and so on.
Values are primarily on the land, not on the age of the building – a factor that has less bearing on the value. For sure, the absence of a swimming pool of a bungalow has seldom, if ever, been a criterion for a low-priced bungalow. If that is the case, is he implying that the provision of swimming pools in condominium projects is a factor that has spiked values of condos/apartments?
Therefore, Mr. CM, please tell us why you paid such a special price for this bungalow. Even if the sale was made on “a willing buyer-willing seller basis,” why can’t you ask the seller to attend a press conference or issue a press statement explaining why she sold it at such a special price to you?
Surely, it is not your way of keeping property prices low in Penang because it has boomeranged to yourself and raising the ire of the public.
The evidence featured in social media and news indicates a possible link between the CM, the seller, and the Taman Manggis project.
Incidentally, Khir Toyo was found guilty by a Shah Alam High Court on Dec 23, 2011 for knowingly purchasing two pieces of land and a bungalow in Section 7, Shah Alam at a much lower price than its original value.
A five-member panel chaired by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin said imprisonment was the right and proper punishment for the offence
“Corruption in all manner and form cannot be condoned. A fine would not send that message. (http://www.malaysia-today.net/khir-sent-to-kajang-prison/)
So what will happen this time?
Over to you, Mr. CM Lim Guan Eng. Tell us more. You owe it to Penangites if you still hold on to your Competency, Accountability, and Transparency maxim.
