No donor questioned Guan Eng’s fund, DAP claims
(MMO) – At the launch of the nationwide donation drive for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today, the DAP claimed that the party’s fundraising methods have not been questioned by anybody who contributed to the fund.
National organising secretary Anthony Loke said RM1.85 million has been raised so far for the “Support, Sympathy and Solidarity with Lim Guan Eng 2.0” campaign, and the party will be transparent with the funds it has collected.
“All these worries are not raised by people who donate. Those donated have all the confidence on DAP because they have donated to DAP all this while.
“They know DAP utilises [the money] for political purposes,” he told reporters at the party headquarters here.
Loke said DAP has always been transparent with the party’s accounts by declaring it during its annual national conference, and the details are even available to the media.
“Even media can get hold of the copy [of the accounts]. I don’t think any other political parties present their account statement to their members during national congress,” he added.
The Seremban MP said the party will announce how they plan to utilise the donation, including a proposal to set up a legal aid fund to help those who have been victims of political persecution.
“Whatever balance we have (will) be channelled to party. It is a DAP fund, not for Lim Guan Eng alone.
“We will commit the RM1 million bail money for special causes. Some of the proposals we are considering is to set up fund to help for victims of political persecution as suggested by some activists,” Loke said referring to the suggestion by activist Fahmi Reza.
Meanwhile, DAP’s national publicity secretary Tony Pua said the party is not forcing anyone to donate and said the campaign aims to set up a platform for Malaysians against political persecutions in general.
“We not forcing anyone to donate. We are giving our platform and giving fightback plan. It is not all about Lim Guan Eng.
“What we doing now is to launch a fightback plan and to do that we need public support. One of the support needed is financial.
“We call upon public to continue donating to us but not for our own personal interest but as part of campaign to fight BN,” the Petaling Jaya Utara MP said referring to ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.
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.
He was also charged over his purchase of a RM2.8 million house from businessman Phang Li Koon at below market value of RM4.27 million.
He is facing a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of five times the value of gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted for the first charge and up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine and forfeiture of property upon conviction for the second charge.
