DAP reps use open house functions to campaign early

'Those who are not involved in corruption like me get charged,' says Lim Guan Eng.

GEORGE TOWN: Chinese New Year open house functions by elected reps in Penang were filled with political speeches, reminding the people that the general election is near.

At the festive open house hosted by state local government Exco Chow Kon Yeow, the people “feasted” on remarks — some funny and some sarcastic — as Chow and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng spoke about the country, its troubles and current affairs.

“We’ve heard of the news that Annuar Musa is under MACC investigation. We thank Tunku Mahkota Johor (Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) for reporting him,” Lim said.

He was speaking about the suspension of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) and Pelaburan Mara Bhd chairman, who is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the sponsorship of the Kelantan football team by two Mara subsidiaries.

Last month, Tunku Ismail, who is popularly known as TMJ, called on a “Tan Sri” who chaired Mara to explain the sponsorship of the football team by Pelaburan Mara and the University of Kuala Lumpur. Annuar carries that honorary title.

Lim said if a regular person made a report to MACC, nothing might happen. He said even PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli could not get MACC to act after his “exposes” of so-called scandals affecting Felda.

“But if TMJ reports, there will be action.

“Those that record profits, like the Penang government that makes budget surpluses every year, get hit.

“Those who are not involved in corruption like me get charged,” Lim said, referring to his pending corruption case over the purchase of his bungalow at below market price.

The DAP secretary-general also “thanked” the federal government for the latest fuel price hike, sarcastically calling it a “big ang pow”.

RON95 and RON97 petrol went up 20 sen to RM2.30 and RM2.60 while diesel went up 10 sen to RM2.15 from today.

Lim said cooking oil prices were also up and people were bracing for a tough year ahead after the festive season.

“This year, if the general election is called, we will have our chance to change the federal government.”

Chow said many Chinese New Year greetings published in the printed and electronic media this year carried a message about change.

The message in Mandarin “ren ren you chuan ji” roughly means there is still hope for a change for the better for everyone.

The sound “ji” is also similar to how the word “chicken” is pronounced in Mandarin. This is the year of the rooster, according to the Chinese zodiac.

“Everyone still has a chance to change the situation for the better. This is a message we keep seeing.

“I think it reflects what the people feel about the country, their unhappiness with the way things are and hoping for something better,” he said.

Chow, who is Penang DAP chief, said the rooster should give everyone a wake-up call this year, and pledged that DAP would fight corruption to save Malaysia.

Chow added that Penang DAP was getting ready for the polls and having a meeting tomorrow to discuss election preparations. They will also decide on the best election theme for the party. -FMT