Friday, May 2, 2008

Guan Eng turns down PBT debate - The Sun

PENANG (May 02, 2008): By Himanshu Bhatt

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has turned down the challenge for an open public debate on the contentious issues surrounding the Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT), saying that the matter demands legal and technical understanding.

He however welcomed members of the PBT, the organisation for wives of BN elected representatives in Penang, who had invited him to publicly debate the matter, to meet him for discussion.

“This is a question of law. There are implications… Did they act properly? Were they qualified to dissolve the body on March 9?”

Lim reiterated that he wants Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, as adviser of the organisation and husband of PBT head Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, to explain how they could decide on dissolving the body at its AGM on March 9.

He reasoned that the members’ husbands had then become part of the opposition following the general election the day before, and asked if the wives were still eligible to be PBT members then.

He pointed to Clause 5.1 of the PBT’s constitution which states that the ordinary membership of the group includes wives of state assemblymen and members of Parliament in Penang, except those from opposition parties.

“On March 9, the members were no longer wives of assemblymen and MPs in governing parties. They were in fact wives of elected representatives in the opposition.
“I don’t want to pressurise anyone. We want this to be resolved amicably, and certain steps to be taken if there is anything wrong.”

Lim said this at a press conference after attending the swearing-in ceremony at the State Legislative Assembly’s inaugural session. He wasresponding to the PBT's challenge to him and his chief-of-staff Jeff Ooi to respond within 48 hours to their call for debate.

Lim also questioned if it was proper for PBT to have given away a large part of its funds, meant for Penang-based charities, to its Federal equivalent, Bakti.
“I hope this can be rectified and the money given to Bakti returned so it can be given to the people of Penang.”

Regarding the contents in Ooi's blog that PBT members had objected to, Lim said he would leave it to Ooi to clarify. Ooi is out of the country and is expected back on Monday.

Meanwhile, the first seating of the Penang State Legislative Assembly went smoothly with members from both Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional taking their oaths for the new term. Abdul Halim Hussin and Tan Hock Leong, both from Pakatan, were appointed speaker and deputy speaker respectively without any objection from the house.

Penang State Islamic Council (MAINPP) chairman Shabudin Yahaya, who is the Umno state assemblyman for Permatang Berangan, confirmed he received a letter from the Yang di-Pertuan Agung directing him to continue holding his post till December 2009.

“I am only obeying Tuanku,” he said. “We are obliged to abide by his orders as he is the supreme head of Islamic affairs in this country.”

When approached by reporters, Deputy Chief Minister (I) Mohd Fairus Khairuddin said the Pakatan Rakyat state government would consider seeking an audience with the King on the matter, and stressed they would respect his decision.

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