Penang exco denies cover-up on extension of roadworks

THE Penang legislative assembly was the front for an open rift between a DAP state executive councillor and his party chairman Lim Guan Eng.

Zairil Khir Johari (PH - Tanjung Bungah) denied that he had covered up a decision by state officials to extend the roadworks from the Bagan to neighbouring Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituencies.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) form the national unity state government here whereas the Opposition is under Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Zairil denied the claim by Lim (PH - Air Putih) that he had covered up the matter.

Instead, Zairil told the sitting earlier today that the decision had been made at the federal level by the Works Ministry.

Lim earlier claimed that a member of the state administration was covering up for the public works department.

Zairil said that the remark by Lim was targeted at him, describing it as unfair and a personal attack on his reputation, and slanderous.

“I vehemently deny this allegation of a cover-up,” Zairil told the state sitting.

Zairil, who manages the portfolio of infrastructure, transport and digital matters, said this when wrapping up the debate on the 2025 state budget.

Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, had last month questioned why funds allocated for road maintenance in his parliamentary constituency were used in neighbouring opposition areas.

Lim said this was a failure by the state government.

“Those in the administration should not cover up policy breaches by government officials,” he said.

Zairil had said that an RM5.6 million allocation was for upgrading a trunk road spanning both constituencies.

Of the sum, RM4.2 million was spent in Bagan, while the remainder was used in Tasek Gelugor. 

PN's Wan Saiful Wan Jan of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, is the Tasek Gelugor MP.

Zairil later said the RM1.4 million which Lim claimed had been “hijacked” had been returned to the Bagan constituency. - The Vibes, November 27, 2024.