Gunning for Guan Eng

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng once again came under fire for not filling a vacant position in the state, this time for the post of Penang Municipal Council president.

The seat fell vacant after its outgoing president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman was promoted to state secretary effective Monday.

Lim has declined to name a replacement or appoint an acting president as yet.

At a press conference after Zainal Rahim was sworn in outside the State Legislative assembly sitting here Tuesday, Lim said he would name the new council president in due time.

Lim had recently come under strong criticism for not appointing a replacement for Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who quit as Deputy Chief Minister 1, effective April 8.

“It is not a problem for us, administratively (to pick a candidate for the council president’s post). I will definitely tell all of you (the media),” he said.

Asked to comment on Penang Gerakan’s proposal that its former deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon be considered for the post, Lim retorted that Gerakan had also proposed to abolish the ISA.

“Gerakan can make proposals, but we will decide after making necessary consultations within our leadership,” he said.

At a separate press conference, Penang Wanita MCA chief Tan Cheng Liang said Lim should make up his mind on the council president’s replacement and to not “take Penangites for a ride.”

She said he should also scrap the post of DCM 1 if he was unable to find a suitable replacement.

Tan said Lim often boasted that he looked at merit and not race or religion when appointing state government staff, but he instead allocated the DCM 1’s post to a Malay, from PKR.

“This is hypocrisy and a practice of double standards. PKR has two other state excos, Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Law Choo Kiang.

“Are they not fit for the post, or are they leaders without merit?” she said.

Tan also said Lim owed Penangites an explanation on Mohammad Fairus’ sudden decision to quit as DCM 1 and Penanti assemblyman.

“As a leader who claims to advocate transparency, Lim should be transparent himself,” especially on that particular matter, she said.