Lim Guan Eng: Umno Interferes In Penang CM Candidate Selection

PENANG, MALAYSIA: Democratic Action Party Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng refuted the Prime Minister's remarks that United Malays National Organisation (Umno) does not interfere in the selection of the Penang Chief Minister post by referring to the move of Gerakan acting President Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon to submit the three potential candidates' list to the Prime Minister.

Lim said as Koh has submitted the candidates' list to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it showed that the final decision for the successor of the CM post lies with the Prime Minister, who is also the President of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and Umno. Therefore, the remarks made by the Prime Minister of not interfering was just a promise during the elections and the people would not believe this worthless and meaningless promise.

“If Umno does not interfere in the candidate selection, why is Gerakan still unwilling to announce the CM successor?” said Lim.

He added that some Umno members who complained aganist Koh by protesting in front of the Prime Minister with banners previously have not been punished. Besides, the Penang Global City Centre project which has not been included in the original develop plan of Penang was suddenly raised in 2007 and this unprecedented large-scale development project was launched by the Prime Minister before being approved by the State Government. It showed that Umno is in fact interferes in the CM candidate selection, development and other matters in Penang. (Sin Chew Daily)