Guan Eng to disclose details of land improprieties

PENANG: Details of alleged land improprieties that resulted in millions of ringgit being siphoned off the state coffers will be revealed Wednesday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was taking up a challenge by former Deputy Chief Minister and Land Development and Land Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah to reveal the details.

“We will discuss the matter during the state exco meeting. If all exco members agree, we will go public,” he told newsmen Tuesday after receiving a courtesy call from the Penang Chinese Clan Council at his office.

“Initially I had not planned to expose the details yet, nor have I made any accusations because I wanted to give Abdul Rashid a chance to explain why premium discounts were given to certain quarters and why state land was alienated to some big companies.

“We are not out to get anyone but since he has challenged me to reveal the details, I will do so,” he said, adding that he definitely wanted to meet with the latter.

“If he (Abdul Rashid) claims not to know of any land improprieties, I will tell him and let him explain. Come and see me. Do not give the reason that I did not issue an official invitation.

“Today I am making an official invitation in the media for him to come. I hope he will cooperate,” he said, adding that it was very odd that Abdul Rashid had expected him to send an official invitation to clarify the matter.

“When I want to meet the Prime Minister, I have to write in. When others want to meet with me, they write an official letter,” he said.

Lim was commenting on Abdul Rashid’s challenge for him to expose the alleged land discrepancy cases that have supposedly taken place under the previous state administration.

--THE STAR