LIM RAPS NAJIB OVER THREAT CLAIM
EX-PM told to prove claim minister had threatened to withhold salaries
FINANCE Minister Lim Guan Eng has refuted a claim by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that he had threatened to withhold civil servants’ pay if they did not vote for Pakatan Harapan.
Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, said Najib, who is Pekan member of parliament, should show proof of his claims.
“With regard to the Tanjung Piai by-election, Najib had made a false claim. I have never made any threats that civil servants who did not vote for PH would not receive their salaries.
“When did I say this? Can he (Najib) show evidence? If he can’t, then be a gentleman. He shouldn’t make lying part of his behaviour.
“When did I touch on this matter? What I said was let voters decide, choose a party that is clean and sincere in combating corruption.
“Choose a party that can manage the economy well to the extent that it is able to pay the salaries (of civil servants).”
Lim said this after officiating the 2019 Johor DAP Convention here yesterday.
Present were state DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong, state Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman Mazlan Bujang and state PKR chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
Najib made the claim on Facebook on Saturday.
Lim said the government would not deny people their basic right to choose just because they did not vote for PH.
Lim also said the federal government had approved a loan of RM191.5 million to an opposition state to pay the salaries of its civil servants.
“Despite the insults, we still approved a loan of RM191.5 million last year and this year (to an opposition state) because we do not want to burden the lives of civil servants.
“We still gave out the loan so that their salaries are not interrupted; they can still earn a living to care for their families.
“Surely, we won’t deny people their rights just because they did not vote for PH.
“What we see is that all civil servants have their pay, there’s no problem,” he said.
Lim took a jab at the opposition, saying if the latter wished to win the by-election, it shouldn’t resort to using lies or slander as it would make for a hollow victory.