Time to put a stop to Lim Guan Eng’s “Tai Chi” performances

1. Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz has revealed that 101 projects worth a staggering RM6.61 billion were approved through direct negotiations by the Finance Ministry under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

2. His revelation has directly implicated former Finance Minister and DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng, who is also Bagan Member of Parliament and former Penang Chief Minister.

3. However, not surprisingly, instead of acknowledging an undeniable Parliamentary statement by his successor, Lim immediately resorted to his trademark style of pointing his finger at others, and dragging the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government into the fray.

4. Yes, it looks like `Tai Chi` Master Lim Guan Eng is back in action, doing what he does best – blaming others. Only this time he has been caught with his pants down. It is obvious that Lim is being cornered from all sides and his cloak of deceit as a clean, accountable and transparent (C.A.T) DAP leader is being ripped apart.

5. He and his wife have already been charged with everything from abusing power for gratification and money laundering. Now, more and more of his shenanigans from the time he was Penang Chief Minister – and later Finance Minister, are being laid bare.

6. The latest revelation that the Finance Ministry under Lim had approved 101 projects worth RM6.61 billion after the DAP had gone to town condemning such practices by the BN government speaks volumes of the hypocrisy that surrounds this party secretary general, and by extension Pakatan Harapan.

7. Lim is now claiming that the PH Cabinet was fully aware of the projects but this was immediately denied by his former colleague, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali. Lim then tried to divert the attention by questioning how many projects were awarded by the previous BN government through direct negotiations. His pathetic attempt to do so speaks volumes of Lim’s hypocritical character.

8. Does Lim need to be reminded that it was the DAP, particularly himself, who had repeatedly thumped his chest for getting rid of direct negotiations in place of open tenders when awarding projects? Perhaps he needs to be reminded what was published in the DAP mouthpiece `The Rocket` as early as 22 June, 2020.

9. In the article, Lim’s party openly declared that any ministry or state government that wished to do away with the open tender process had to first obtain the written permission from the Ministry of Finance (MOF). It was declared that Lim turned down many such requests and granted exemptions only in very rare occasions.

10. However, Tengku Zafrul’s revelations in Parliament seem to show the exact opposite happened. There were a total of 101 projects in a short 22 months worth a humongous RM6.61 billion approved by Lim.

11. I think it is only proper the Finance Ministry now list out in detail just what these projects were that warranted Lim’s urgent approval for them to be awarded through direct negotiation instead of open tender.

12. It is also time for the Malaysian Anti corruption Commission (MACC) to step in and get to the bottom of this issue which has shocked Malaysians for the betrayal shown by the Pakatan government. It is time to put a stop to this `Tai Chi` performance as it is really getting stale.

Baljit Singh

Vice President Gerakan