4 October 2022

The Lims’ defensiveness toward MACC’s report of worrisome levels of graft in Penang

During a talk show by Penang RTM’s Mutiara FM radio station, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki claimed that bribery and power abuse cases in Penang are worrisome. In addition, he reported that MACC had received 312 reports of bribe acceptance and 147 on power abuse in the state.

Hearing this, both Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng jumped at these claims, calling out the Commissioner to produce proof and questioning why he singled out Penang for graft. In comparison, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow remained neutral and welcomed MACC to investigate any of the officers.

As the BM peribahasa goes, “Siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedasnya”. Even though the Lims were never mentioned, they reacted so strongly till it makes one wonder if they have any reasons to be so triggered by a general statement.

Furthermore, Azam Baki said that these statistics are from 2019 onwards; Thus why would Lim Guan Eng emphasise that he, the Chief Minister from 2008 to 2018, left an administration with stellar anti-corruption practices? To excuse himself from responsibility?

Besides, Azam Baki had also said that developed states such as Penang, Johor, Selangor, and KL were the biggest contributors of corruption in Malaysia, due to the high transaction volumes which make corruption more common. This is a sound logic, so why is Lim Guan Eng so shocked about such claims?

Even though Lim Guan Eng has been acquitted from the bungalow purchase case, the undersea tunnel case is still ongoing, which means that the MACC’s claims are not unfounded. Moreover, Lim Guan Eng called Azam Baki delusional, but wouldn’t it be more delusional to think that Penang, as a highly industrial and developed state, would have zero corruption counts?

-MCA online-