d-day tomorrow on Penang polls
‘A consensus among parties important’.
GEORGE TOWN: The decision on the proposed state election may be announced tomorrow night, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Lim said there must be a consensus among Pakatan Harapan parties – DAP, PKR and Amanah - prior to the announcement.
“There is no confusion on the state government’s part but it is important for a consensus to be reached first.
“I met Amanah president (Mohamad Sabu) on Tuesday and there will be a meeting with him on Sunday (today),” he told a press conference after launching a symposium at the Penang Institute yesterday.
Lim added that he had already explained to PKR and Amanah on the need to have the state election.
The briefing session entitled Future of Penang will be held at the Caring Society Complex in Jalan Utama at 8.30pm tomorrow.
He said Penangites would be briefed on the state’s current political and economic situation, besides the situation in Malaysia.
“The people have to know why a snap poll is needed. The state election is not for me as I am definitely going to prison over the corruption charges.
“Everyone knows that Lim cannot be saved but the state can still be saved, so that is why we need the state election,” he said.
Lim also claimed that the charges were to assassinate his character.
“I have faith in the people, so let them decide on who they want as their leaders.”
The Chief Minister also went on to challenge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to call for a general election to seek a new mandate following the latest development on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
“Since we’ve proposed for snap polls and this matter has come up too, why don’t we have an early general election and let the people decide.”
On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice filed civil suits seeking to seize US$1bil (RM4.02bil) worth of assets allegedly obtained using funds siphoned from 1MDB.
In KAJANG, PKR has requested for more time to deliberate DAP’s proposal for snap polls in Penang.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she would be reaching out to party members and the grassroots to obtain feedback on the proposal.
In ALOR SETAR, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party was ready and would have candidates for suitable seats should snap polls be called in Penang.
In BUTTERWORTH, seven banners with the words “P. RAMASAMY OUR NEXT CM” were found in Prai, Taman Indrawasih, Taman Chai Leng, Permatang Pauh and Seberang Jaya.
Batu Kawan DAP secretary M. Satees, who is also a Seberang Prai Municipal councillor, said the banners were believed to have been put up after midnight and early yesterday.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy when contacted, said the banners were put up to create mischief.
“The perpetrators are trying to put a wedge between Lim and me.”