Lim debunks Rahman Dahlan's debate excuse as 'shameful'

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has debunked Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan's claim that calling off their debate had been for the sake of the former's corruption case.

Lim reminded Abdul Rahman when he accepted the challenge to debate the Taman Manggis issue, the latter had pulled out saying it was upon the advice from the inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

"Abdul Rahman claimed the advice proved correct, because I was charged for corruption over the issue.

"I was never charged for corruption related to Taman Manggis, so it is a lie," Lim told Malaysiakini.

“And to say the IGP cancelled the debate to help me, that's completely ridiculous," said the DAP secretary-general.

Lim was responding to the former the former housing, local government and urban wellbeing minister, who defending his calling off the debate had protected the chief minister from the "risk of self-incrimination".

Abdul Rahman said this when referring to the upcoming debate between Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Abdul Rahman said Lim was under probe over the debate topic, while Nazri and Mahathir are not being investigated for any case.

'Not charged for Taman Manggis'

Lim has claimed trial at the Penang High Court for two counts of corruption related to the purchase of his bungalow at Jalan Pinhorn, allegedly below market value, and for approving the rezoning from agriculture to housing development of a plot of land in Balik Pulau belonging to a private company, in which his bungalow's previous owner has a stake.

Lim said he cannot divulge more about the case but is prepared, ready and willing to prove in court that it was a political conspiracy to topple him.

Meanwhile, Lim said Abdul Rahman should be "ashamed of himself for trying to hide his cowardice".

"He is lying through his teeth in order to hide the fact that he is a coward," Lim said.

"He actually backed out from debating me on the Taman Manggis issue," Lim added.

Lim asked the minister when the IGP had ever made an effort to help opposition leaders.

"By saying the IGP wants to protect me, Abdul Rahman shows that he has completely lost all rationality," Lim quipped.- Mkini