SUE RPK TO CLEAR NAME, LIM TOLD
Blogger had alleged that DAP adviser was paid to allow Dr M to become PH chairman
AN Umno leader has challenged DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to sue blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin over claims of RM1 billion kickback.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said Lim should explain properly to refute the claim that he had been paid such an amount.
“The claim seems logical as everyone was baffled at how (former prime minister) Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) and Lim can sit at the same table when they are political enemies.
“Although (Dr) Mahathir has said their goals of bringing down (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) are the same, both of them have hidden agendas, which will be revealed once they are in power,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Raja Petra had, earlier this week, insinuated that Lim was paid RM1 billion by Dr Mahathir to allow him to become Pakatan Harapan chairman, for Lim to remain silent on Bank Negara Malaysia’s foreign exchange scandal and for Mahathir’s son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, to be given a safe seat to contest in the next general election.
Puad said Lim should not just be bold in suing the media when news reports did not favour him.
“This is the mark of an old dictator,” he said.
On Wednesday, Lim reportedly said he would sue media outlets for publishing reports of such claims.
In a related development, Dr Mahathir said only an insane person would think that he had RM1 billion to spend.
“It is insane to think I paid RM1 billion to (Lim) Kit Siang to be the Pakatan chairman.
“I am a (former) prime minister with a house smaller than those of ministers as I only spend the money I have.
“If I had RM1 billion, I would not have lived like this. I would have bought airplanes, ships and many more.”
In a video posted on the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Facebook page, Dr Mahathir branded Raja Petra tidak siuman (of unsound mind).
He said Raja Petra should provide evidence of him (Dr Mahathir) having such an amount of money.
“If you have evidence, show it. Show the world that I have RM1 billion.”
In Penang, former DAP Bagan Luar branch chairman G. Asoghan also challenged Lim to sue Raja Petra on the same issue.
Asoghan lodged a report with the Butterworth police yesterday for them to investigate the claims.
“We are very surprised with the latest revelation by Raja Petra.
“Lim has been in politics for the last 50 years, but this is the first time we have heard about the corruption claim. He owes the people an explanation.
“This is very important as we want a free and fair election,” he told newsmen after making the report.
Asoghan said if Lim denied the claims, then he should allow the courts to clear his name.
“Denial through words does not count. He has to sue Raja Petra. He should allow the police to investigate,” he added.
Asoghan said he would let police investigate the matter first before going to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.