Kit Siang: Penang CM’s arrest the effect of by-elections
Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar have given the Prime Minister confidence to go on an all-out political offensive.
(FMT) – Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s arrest on two corruption charges was one of the eight after-effects of Barisan Nasional (BN) victories in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections on June 18, said DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang in a statement.
Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, added Lim who is also Gelang Patah MP, has given Prime Minister Najib Razak confidence to go on an all-out political offensive. “He believes that he has the licence to do whatever he likes to consolidate his position despite being increasingly regarded by the international community as the worst Prime Minister for Malaysia.”
Najib has virtually made Malaysia synonymous with global corruption with the RM55 billion 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal and RM4.2 billion political “donation” controversy being investigated in seven countries, pointed out the DAP veteran.
He listed the other seven effects of the twin by-election.
Firstly, Najib believes that he can sweep the global mega financial scandals under the carpet at home.
The other effects:
* The sacking of former Umno Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir from Umno and the suspension of Umno Vice President Shafie Apdal.
* The series of actions against former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
* The major purge in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) involving the two top men. “This is reminiscent of the earlier purges of the key figures in the Special Task Force on 1MDB,” said Lim.
* The campaign through Utusan Malaysia to incite racial and religious tensions in the country. “This includes falsely painting DAP as anti-Malay and anti-Islam,” said Lim.
* The irresponsible, incendiary and seditious “kafir harbi” (warring infidel) statement by the Pahang Mufti. “The statement was given national prominence and front-page treatment by Utusan Malaysia, the Umno mouthpiece,” noted Lim. “It was also ‘white-washed’ by the Prime Minister’s Office.”
* The Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week to bring in more mediocre members. This includes sycophants and “yes men” who only remain loyal to Najib’s survival.
* The arrest of Guan Eng on two corruption charges, reiterated Lim, was the latest attempt to destroy the Opposition in a bid to defend Najib’s political position.
He went on to say that it was a matter of sorrow and anger that Najib and his “Cabinet of sycophants” do not see the need to check Malaysia continuing its trajectory towards the status of a fractured, failed and rogue state.
“The statement by BN Strategic Communications Director, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, said that Guan Eng’s arrest shows DAP was not so clean after all,” said Lim. “This seems to be the objective of Guan Eng’s arrest and corruption charges.”
He called on the people to rise above their differences and save the country from being a failed state. “It’s fracturing and becoming a rogue state.”
