There is no need for Lim Guan Eng to step down as Penang
Chief Minister as the corruption charge is merely a form of political
persecution, Exco member Chow Kon Yeow said.
The state DAP chairman explained that despite the two
charges levelled at its secretary-general, the Penang DAP committee found Lim
to be innocent.
“For that reason, the state DAP committee decided that there
is no necessity for Lim to resign as Penang CM or to take leave from his
responsibilities as the state’s chief executive.
“We would like to assure Penangites that business in the
state government would be as usual and would not be affected by the corruption
charge,” Chow said at a press conference.
He also said an emergency meeting for the Central Executive
Committee would be convened tomorrow at DAP’s headquarters Kuala Lumpur at
11am.
Chow, however, did not elaborate why the meeting would take
place, but said it would be on Lim’s charges.
Earlier this morning, Lim and his former landlord, Phang Li
Khoon, were in the dock for their alleged involvement in rezoning an
agricultural land and purchase of a below-market-price bungalow at Pinhorn
Road. Both pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
Meanwhile, at the same press conference, Penang DAP
Vice-Chairman Zairil Khir Johari said a special fundraiser to collect funds to
pay Lim’s bail was launched.
Zairil said the committee found Lim’s bail to be “excessive”
and DAP supporters felt the same way.
“We have been asked by many who wanted to contribute towards
Lim’s bail.
“By right, a bail amount should be set so that the person
does not abscond from a court hearing, but this is too much. And we all know
Lim does not run away,” the Bukit Bendera lawmaker added.
Zairil called on supporters to donate to the fund by banking
in to their Maybank account: “DAP Penang – 5070
1301 4596″.
Chow explained that Lim’s bail was posted using money from
Penang DAP’s own funds, topped up by the DAP headquarters.
“We only have RM890,000 balance in our account. So the
national treasurer topped up with another RM110,000.
“From the donations, we can pay the DAP HQ the balance and restore
our accounts,” Chow said.
Source –FMT-
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