GEORGE TOWN – Lim Guan Eng has hit out against former comrade Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali for being deceitful while trying to justify his role in bringing down the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in 2020.
The DAP chairman accused Azmin of selling a tale full of lies and slander by alleging that he (Lim), during his stint as finance minister from 2019 to 2020, had rejected aid for Bumiputera agencies such as Teraju, with the latter (Azmin) having voiced displeasure to Lim over it.
“I cannot recall anything precisely as to what Azmin is trying to channel his lies on, but we would not have rejected aid for any Bumiputera agencies if their intent is real.”
Furthermore, Azmin was part of the PH cabinet, said Lim, when launching PH’s elections operation centre for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat yesterday.
Its incumbent MP, Ramkarpal Singh Deo, is defending the seat, possibly facing a five-cornered fight with P. Thinaganarabhan from Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional’s Wong Chin Chong from MCA, as well as two independents entering the fray.
“Any decision made by the government needs to be ratified by the cabinet. Azmin was in it if he hollers that PH had sidelined the Malays.
“He could have disapproved (vetoed) any of the decisions made,” said Lim.
In a viral video, Azmin claimed to be a champion of the Malays, saying he had confronted the cabinet, including then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and Lim, about their withdrawal of Bumiputera aid.
Lim also spoke on the situation Penang DAP now faces after chief minister and party state chapter chairman Chow Kon Yeow had tested positive for Covid-19.
“I am now facing a sore throat but not to worry, I have tested myself twice and the outcome for now is negative. We just need to be careful.”
Under the revised standard operating procedures, a Covid-19 positive person must undergo quarantine for three days but if he continues to be positive, he must continue to self-isolate until his tests turn out negative.
Chow only has until Friday to get well, as Saturday is nomination day for the 15th general election.
Lim declined to answer media queries if PH would produce an alternative candidate if Chow cannot stand in the election.
Earlier, Lim also said that this election should be about the people and the issues which need to be addressed by those they elect to represent them.
“It should not be about politicians only. It should be about what the people want.” – The Vibes, November 2, 2022
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