‘ Black Shirts’ demand Lim’s resignation
> Group also wants chief minister to withdraw support for Bersih rally
GEORGE TOWN: The atmosphere during lunchtime at the Penang government offices at Komtar here turned boisterous yesterday after protesters clad in black Tshirts gathered at the iconic building to demand Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng step down, pending charges of graft and abuse of power against him.
The group, about a thousand-strong, had gathered at Menara Umno in Jalan Macalister here before marching about 2km to Komtar at about 2pm.
They shouted out demands for Lim to resign while policemen assembled to ensure no untoward incidents took place.
Penang Umno Youth chief Rafizal Rahim, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, called on Lim to resign pending the disposition of the charges by a court.
He said a similar protest would be held near Lim’s residence in Jalan Pinhorn if the two-term chief minister does not step down.“We will keep protesting if our demands are not met,” he said, as demonstrators cheered in support.
Rafizal also delivered a six-point memorandum, which was received by state information officer Zahari Zainul, after which the demonstrators peacefully dispersed.
The memorandum urged Lim to resign, retract his support for the Bersih 5.0 rally, called on the state to build more low-cost housing, address development issues, stop development of the hills and to stop reclaiming land.
When contacted, Lim’s politicalsecretary Wong Hon Wai condemned the rally, which he described as uncalled for.
He questioned the involvement of the youth participants, whom he claimed were mostly underage.
“It is worrying to see the involvement of these youths. They should not be used as a tool to promote this propaganda,” said the Air Itam assemblyman.
He added that the demonstration also caused a massive gridlock and unease to the public.