DAP’s executive body tells Guan Eng to stay on as Penang CM
(MMO) – The DAP’s central working committee decided collectively today that its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng need not take leave from his post as Penang chief minister despite being indicted on two corruption charges.
The federal opposition party’s national chairman Tan Kok Wai (pic) said there was no conflict of interest for Lim to stay on in the state government post as the latter has no control over the prosecution.
“Furthermore, the CEC also believes the charges to be completely baseless and nothing more than an attempt to topple the democratically elected chief minister of Penang, as well as to destabilise the party,” he told the press here.
Tan was flanked by Lim, the entire DAP national leadership and the party’s federal and state representatives.
Lim reiterated that the charges against him were designed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government to destabilise and fracture the opposition, and asserted that it would fail.
“The people will determine if BN will succeed,” the Bagan MP said.
Lim is facing a charge each under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act and Section 165 of the Penal Code.
He is accused of using his public office or position to obtain gratification for himself and his wife Betty Chew, by approving an application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential purpose during a state planning committee meeting on July 18, 2014.
Tan said the CEC fully backs Lim.
“He is a man of impeccable honesty and integrity. We do not have doubt in his moral standing,” Tan, who is also Cheras MP, said.
The party has set up a national committee to demonstrate “Support, Sympathy and Solidarity with Lim Guan Eng” and is expected to go on a national road show.
But Lim said the party is not planning to hold a street protest at the moment despite the massive support shown by the party’s supporters when the Penang chief minister was detained and charged in court.
“I saw Malay women hugging and crying. I saw Malay men hugging and crying. It is something that I have never seen before… they came of their own volition.
“But we won’t be organising a street demo but we will go on and explain that this is an attempt to destabilise the Penang government,” he said, referring to his indictment.
Lim is expected to meet all Penang DAP representatives at the Dewan Sri Pinang complex on Sunday, 10am in the first event to kickstart the party’s national public briefing campaign.
Critics have accused Lim and DAP of hypocrisy over the Penang executive’s refusal to take leave pending his trial.
Lim and the DAP were among the most vocal in calling for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take leave over his alleged link in the 1 Malaysia Development Bhd financial controversy.
