Guan Eng: Jahara unreasonable and racist

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has come down hard on state opposition leader Jahara Hamid for alleging there was selective action against Malay hawkers by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council.

During her speech at the Penang state legislative assembly today, Jahara had questioned why there was no action against Chinese hawkers who set up illegal businesses along Pantai Bersih, Butterworth.

"I always thought of Jahara (left) as a typical grandmother but now she has become an unreasonable and racist grandmother," Lim said at a press conference in the assembly building.

"She did not mention that there were more than four Malay stalls also along Pantai Bersih (which were allowed to operate)," Lim added.

Lim expressed regret that Jahara had taken a racist line and tried to "twist the issue" when she could have merely questioned the non-action of local councils against illegal hawkers.

"It is alright to criticise us for not taking action, but why be racist and continue their racist propaganda," he said.

During the press conference, Sungai Puyu assemblyman and state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said that the local council, during BN's rule from 2004 to 2008, did not allow Malay traders to ply their trade at Pantai Bersih.

"The former Seberang Jaya assemblyperson Ariff Mohd Shah can attest to this as he has visited the constituency. They (BN) have their own agenda. So who is being racist?" countered Phee.

Remarks retracted

Jahara, the Telok Ayer Tawar assemblyperson, was today whacked by several DAP reps and forced to retract two remarks, including allegations that developers had to obtain a ‘greenlight' from MPs and assemblypersons before proceedings with their projects.

In support of her, the 10 Umno reps today staged a two-hour walk-out from the assembly hall even though speaker Law Choo Kiang (right) had asked Jahara to proceed debating Budget 2014, which was presented by Lim on Nov 28.

Lim also hit out at Jahara for her questions over claims that Pulau Jerejak had been renamed ‘Mazu Island' and that the state had approved the land for the erection of a goddess in a temple on the island.

Jahara had shown photos of Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Kassim handing over aid to the temple, and an invitation banner of Lim, inviting the public to a DAP 'Ubah' fundraising function in January this year.

Jahara had apparently obtained the photos from the temple Facebook page, which depicted a photo of Lim shaking the hands of an unknown individual.

Lim denied his administration had ever given such an approval for the change of name or erection of the goddess and that he was awaiting a report on the matter from the Land Office before responding in detail.

"This is another lie, a thousand naughty lies (by Jahara). Just because someone takes a photo with me does not mean I know the person," Lim said.

Lim urged Jahara to stop acting "unprofessionally" and to refrain from acting like former Penang opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim, who had run-ins in the state assembly and had been suspended twice.