GEORGE TOWN: The Barisan Nasional (BN) state government in Perak is an illegitimate one as it does not have the full mandate of the Perak people.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government, determined by two or three people, was manipulative, a traversity of justice and a mockery of democracy.
Speaking at his office with 26 of Penang's 29 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state assemblymen, Lim said: "BN only obtained 46% of the mandate during the last general election and where is the democracy when the minority can take over from those who attained the majority of the votes?"
"This is democracy the BN way," said Lim.
The three state assemblymen who were missing were deputy chief minister II Prof P Ramasamy and Pulau Jerejak state assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin, who were in Kuala Lumpur on official duties, while state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was in New Zealand.
Deputy chief minister I Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS's sole representative in the state legislative assembly Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman also spoke at the press conference, both slamming the BN's "underhanded" way of gaining the Perak state government.
Lim said instead of focusing on the flagging economy and creating job opportunities, the BN was too busy "buying" PR representatives to wrench control of the state government via a political coup d'etat.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (centre with black tie) holds a press conference at his office with 26 of Penang's 29 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state assemblymen.
"The actions of the three PKR and one DAP representative is an act of treason to the democratic culture and a betrayal of the trust given by voters during the 2008 general election.
"All the Penang PR state assemblymen see this as a despicable act by the BN to use dirty political tactics to win them over.
"All of us urge all parties in Perak to respect the voice of the 54% of the population in Perak who rejected the BN and gave the mandate to PR to rule," he added.
He said deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's manipulation in Perak has stamped a black mark even before he became the prime minister and was a bid to divert attention from his and BN's failures in the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu by elections and other controversial issues.
When asked if the Penang PR government would seek a pledge of allegiance from the 29 PR state assemblymen, Lim said it was not necessary as he had full confidence in their loyalty.
"They serve with loyalty in their hearts and even though they were only informed this morning about this press conference, they dropped everything else and showed up here," Lim added.
Asked about Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein's statement that it would not be impossible for BN to wrest the other four states from PR, Lim dared Hishamuddin to call for a snap election in Perak or even nationwide.
"If he is so confident, then BN should dissolve the Perak state legislative assembly and call for snap election.
"Let's see if they can win Perak with the support of the electorate," Lim added.
He warned that this move by the BN would only bring about doom for the coalition.
"It is not only me saying this, even Umno members including veterans like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah are saying so.
"I believe it will have serious repercussions for them," he added.
The Edge
07/02/09
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government, determined by two or three people, was manipulative, a traversity of justice and a mockery of democracy.
Speaking at his office with 26 of Penang's 29 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state assemblymen, Lim said: "BN only obtained 46% of the mandate during the last general election and where is the democracy when the minority can take over from those who attained the majority of the votes?"
"This is democracy the BN way," said Lim.
The three state assemblymen who were missing were deputy chief minister II Prof P Ramasamy and Pulau Jerejak state assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin, who were in Kuala Lumpur on official duties, while state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was in New Zealand.
Deputy chief minister I Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS's sole representative in the state legislative assembly Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman also spoke at the press conference, both slamming the BN's "underhanded" way of gaining the Perak state government.
Lim said instead of focusing on the flagging economy and creating job opportunities, the BN was too busy "buying" PR representatives to wrench control of the state government via a political coup d'etat.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (centre with black tie) holds a press conference at his office with 26 of Penang's 29 Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state assemblymen.
"The actions of the three PKR and one DAP representative is an act of treason to the democratic culture and a betrayal of the trust given by voters during the 2008 general election.
"All the Penang PR state assemblymen see this as a despicable act by the BN to use dirty political tactics to win them over.
"All of us urge all parties in Perak to respect the voice of the 54% of the population in Perak who rejected the BN and gave the mandate to PR to rule," he added.
He said deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's manipulation in Perak has stamped a black mark even before he became the prime minister and was a bid to divert attention from his and BN's failures in the Permatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu by elections and other controversial issues.
When asked if the Penang PR government would seek a pledge of allegiance from the 29 PR state assemblymen, Lim said it was not necessary as he had full confidence in their loyalty.
"They serve with loyalty in their hearts and even though they were only informed this morning about this press conference, they dropped everything else and showed up here," Lim added.
Asked about Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein's statement that it would not be impossible for BN to wrest the other four states from PR, Lim dared Hishamuddin to call for a snap election in Perak or even nationwide.
"If he is so confident, then BN should dissolve the Perak state legislative assembly and call for snap election.
"Let's see if they can win Perak with the support of the electorate," Lim added.
He warned that this move by the BN would only bring about doom for the coalition.
"It is not only me saying this, even Umno members including veterans like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah are saying so.
"I believe it will have serious repercussions for them," he added.
The Edge
07/02/09
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