PENANG UMNO TO TABLE MOTION IN STATE ASSEMBLY DEMANDING GUAN ENG'S RESIGNATION
Move a response to Lim Guan Eng’s stand against ‘child marriage’ MP Shabudin
AUDREY DERMAWAN AND BALVIN KAUR GEORGE TOWN news@nst.com.my
PENANG Umno yesterday announced that it will table a motion in the state legislative assembly next month to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his two graft cases, which are pending trial at the High Court.
Penang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said this was in response to Lim’s decision to move a motion to “strongly condemn” Tasek Gelugor member of parliament Shabudin Yahaya over his remarks in Parliament on child marriage.
Zainal said Penang Umno would ask state opposition leader Datuk Jahara Hamid to table the motion when the state assembly sitting resumes on May 19.
“Lim’s action is clearly an act of revenge against Shabudin following the latter’s revelation in Parliament last year about (Lim’s) purchase of a property below market price.
“As a result of the revelation, Lim was charged with two counts of corrupt practices on June 30 last year and is awaiting trial,” he said here yesterday.
Zainal claimed this was why Lim was adamant on moving a motion against Shabudin even though the latter had clarified his statement.
Zainal reiterated Penang Umno’s call for Lim to go on leave, pending the outcome of the latter’s corruption trial.
“This stubbornness to do so has tarnished the credibility of the Chief Minister’s Office following the charges that have been brought against him.”
Zainal said witnesses in Lim’s case, particularly government officers, would feel “wary” and “stressed” if they were called to testify in court against a sitting chief minister.
He said the trial would also disrupt Lim’s duties as chief minister and affect the running of the state.
Lim said he did not mind Umno filing a motion to demand his resignation.
“Can. Why not? We are a democracy, and we allow motions to ask for my resignation.”
Lim denied that he was seeking revenge against Shabudin.
“With comments like ‘9-yearolds are spiritually and physically ready for marriage’, we must do something about this.
“If Wanita Umno and the (state) opposition leader (Jahara) want to support the motion at the state assembly, let’s debate it.
“It is clear they want to support disreputable (state) opposition leaders.”