GEORGE TOWN, July 25 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today he is confident of Pakatan Harapan’s chances of retaining Penang if snap elections were to be held.
Lim said he has faith in all Malaysians and that they would make the right decision.
“I have faith that the people of Penang want a clean government and not a dirty government,” the Penang CM said.
He said the state polls will not only allow the people to pass their verdict on the two corruption charges against him, but also on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
He expressed his confidence that the people will make the “right decision”.
“Yes, it’s a risk, I’m still confident, and if results don’t side with us, we will accept it as long as the elections are held clean and fair,” he said.
Lim insisted that having the state polls is the best way for the people to send a strong message to Putrajaya.
“If we look at Bersih 1, 2, 3, 4, BN ignored it, and even if there’s a Bersih 5, BN will ignore it,” he said, referring to his political opponent, Barisan Nasional.
Discussions on whether to call for the state polls are still underway between the allies in Pakatan Harapan.
Lim said despite PKR making its own decisions in the Penanti, Permatang Pauh and Kajang by-elections in previous years, DAP felt it should consult with its allies within the pact on the state polls.
“DAP should demonstrate that we are a reliable partner and we can make this a Pakatan decision,” he said.
Lim was charged with abuse of power and corruption at the Penang High Court last month over the alleged approval of a rezoning application by Magnificent Emblem to convert agricultural land to residential and over his purchase of his RM2.8 million house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at below market value of RM4.27 million.
There were calls, especially by his political opponents, for Lim to step down as chief minister or to take a leave of absence pending his court cases going to trial.
DAP and Pakatan Harapan had voiced its full support for Lim to remain as chief minister, labelling the charges as a political move to end Lim’s political career.
In the last week, Lim is insisting that state elections should be held to “protect the people of Penang” as he is certain that he will be jailed.
