Lim told not to be arrogant, reminded of Penang’s debt and how federal gov’t solved it
(NST) – Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who has questioned the Pahang state government’s ability to develop the state due to its debt, has been reminded how Penang was in a similar situation when he was the chief minister.
Umno lawmaker Khairy Jamaluddin noted that the then Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government had helped settle Penang’s RM655 million debt to Putrajaya when Lim was the chief minister.
“So there is no reason to be arrogant now with regard to the Pahang state government,” he said.
Khairy said he had checked the status of Pahang’s debt in the auditor-general’s report which has been politicised by Lim.
“It seems that a huge portion (70 percent) of Pahang’s debt is related to water,” he said, pointing out that Penang had a similar debt previously.
The Rembau Member of Parliament said Lim’s statement on Pahang’s debt situation was clearly politically motivated and obviously timed to coincide with the by-election in Cameron Highlands.
He said Lim should be more professional in issuing official statements.
“Be professional regarding official media statements. It is very clearly politically motivated due to Cameron Highlands. Use DAP’s social media for political statements,” he tweeted.
Lim had earlier issued a statement questioning the Pahang state government’s ability to develop the state considering it had been posting an annual deficit budget from 2014 to 2017.
He revealed that the state was saddled with a debt of RM3.2 billion, which is the highest in the country.
Meanwhile, another Umno lawmaker, Reezal Merican Naina Merican, also criticised Lim over his statement on Pahang’s financial situation.
The Kepala Batas MP said Lim’s attack was unwarranted, insulted the people of Pahang and was akin to a “kongsi gelap (secret society)” threat.
He said a series of political attacks by Lim on several states lately was unwarranted and could jeopardise ties between the state and federal level.
“The latest attack on the Pahang state government is politically motivated and (aimed at) influencing the outcome of the Cameron Highlands by-election.
“Lim should not use an (official) medium and his position to initiate an economic attack on selected states. This is not gentleman-like politics..it is a threat, similar to what is done by secret societies” Reezal, who is also Umno supreme council member, said.
