'Umno raised racist issues because I am a Chinese CM'

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the allegation by state opposition leader Jahara Hamid that he had renamed Pulau Jerejak to Mazhu Island was “very dangerous”.

Lim said this “false report and sensitive issue” had been carried widely on a pro-Umno blog to tarnish the image of the state government.

Lim added that it was also meant to tarnish his reputation among the Malays just because he was a Chinese chief minister.

“The allegation by Jahara is very dangerous and racist as she tried to create a racial and religious issue,” said Lim.

“As a lawyer, she should know that any name change of the island must go through the process of law and must be gazetted,” he added.

He was referring to a question on the matter raised by state opposition leader Jahara Hamid at the state assembly on Monday, that Pulau Jerejak had been renamed Mazhu Island.

Mazhu is a Buddhist deity for seafarers and a statue of it has been erected in a temple on the island.

Lim said Umno has yet to show proof of their allegations that his administration approved the renaming of the island, including the erection of a deity in a temple there.

Lim insists that his administration did not give any approval, gazette or give anyone the permission for such a name change of the island, which was formerly used as a detention centre for leprosy patients.

Lim said Jahara (right) had purposely raised the issue of the Buddhist deity and it was obvious that Umno tried to create racial and religious hatred.

Another “evil and racist” allegation by Jahara, said Lim, was why only compounds and not orders for demolition of premises were allegedly issued to businesses owned by Chinese.

Lim then cited a report from the Seberang Perai Municipal Council which shows that there are one Chinese and six Malay hawkers who are illegally operating their stall along Pantai Bersih.

“Jahara’s effort to play with the fires of racism is irresponsible because MPSP’s report shows that there were also Malay businesses along the area,” Lim said.

“MPSP did not demolish premises owned by Chinese and Malays,” he added.

“If Jahara merely ask why no action was taken against the seven illegal premises along Pantai Bersih, it is accepted and reasonable,” he stressed.

Lim said Jahara tried to turn it into a racist issue.

Divide-and-rule policy

He added that it was clear that not only is Umno racist but its leaders and a reasonable lawyer like Jahara were also racists.

Lim said the Penang government will not bow to the “evil elements of racism” from BN and Umno, which practices a divide-and-rule policy.

Lim said this policy had anyway been rejected by Penangites who gave Pakatan 68 percent support in the May 5 general election.

Meanwhile, the MPSP said eight compounds have been sent to the illegal premises pointed out by Jahara since 2010.

MPSP president Maimunah Shariff confirmed that there was only one premises owned by a Chinese, while six others were owned by Malays.

“For new premises - Lobster Village Seafood Restaurant - the enforcement team checked on Sept 7 and the owner has demolished his shop,” she said.

“For the seven premises, we have issued notices to the illegal hawkers along Pantai Bersih on Jan 8,” Maimunah added.