Prove ‘plot’ to oust you, Guan Eng tells Chow

Former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng tells his successor Chow Kon Yeow to put a full stop to rumours.

(FMT) – DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has urged Chow Kon Yeow to furnish proof of an alleged plot to oust him as Penang chief minister.

Chow had recently alleged that there were attempts to remove him over an issue stemming from a state land sale.

In a statement, Lim said such claims would only shift the focus from the state government being led in a competent, accountable and transparent manner.

He said party secretary-general Loke Siew Fook had also “sternly” responded to the claim, saying there were no plans to replace Chow as chief minister.

“Chow should put a full stop to this rumour that he started. He has yet to show any proof that DAP members are trying to oust him.

“There is no evidence that any leader or party member is involved in doing so as well. If Chow has proof, he should send it to Loke so that it can be addressed internally in the sternest manner,” he said.

Over the weekend, Chow had asked those who had deserted him “to return to his fold”, and claimed cryptically that he had yet to pass a “challenge” to remain as chief minister.

He also said people “in and outside the party” were planning to “defeat him”, in a speech reported by Chinese dailies without any context.

When asked about these remarks, he said they were due to recent “issues”, especially on the questions raised over a land sale to a private company by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC).

Chow said his central message was that DAP members should unite and back him as he was nominated by the party as chief minister.

The chief ministership was also a hot topic before the state elections, with rumours that Chow would not get a shot at a second term and that Lim could make a return, or a candidate backed by the former chief minister would get the post instead.

However, such speculation was short-lived after the party decided that Chow would continue in his post.

It was also reported that several incumbents who were aligned with Chow were dropped from defending their state seats in the polls last August.