Angry CM rips Hindraf's 'web of deceit'
Published: Jul 1, 2009 2:33 PM | Updated: Jul 1, 2009 3:01 PM
Opposition leaders had once travelled the length and breadth of the nation lending support to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and its incarcerated leaders.
But this was before the March 8 general election, when opposition parties rode on the Hindraf momentum to bag votes from the Indian Malaysian community.
Penang CM Lim Guan Eng slams Hindraf over the Kampung Buah Pala controversy and claims that the movement has been infiltrated by BN collaborators.
Opposition leaders had once travelled the length and breadth of the nation lending support to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
But this was before the March 8 general election last year, when opposition parties rode on the Hindraf momentum to bag votes from the Indian Malaysian community.
The goal posts have since shifted and the once teammates now find themselves on opposing sides of the field.
In Penang, the controversy surrounding Kampung Buah Pala - where the predominantly Indian inhabitants face eviction - has put Hindraf and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the warpath.
As the pressure mounts, Lim lashed out at Hindraf for "spinning a web of deceit" and attempting to paint the state government as uncaring of the Indian community.
The DAP secretary-general also claimed that Hindraf has been infiltrated by Barisan Nasional and MIC collaborators.
In a hard-hitting statement which did little to conceal his resentment, Lim rebutted the "lie" that acquiring Kampung Buah Pala would cost at the most RM30 million.
"Where is it stated in the land acquisition laws or approved by the courts that government can acquire land for public interest at a sum far below the market price?" he asked.
Lim said the forcible acquisition of Kampung Buah Pala involving developed land would be of a frightening magnitude and the state government did not have the financial capability to do so.
"Clearly these Hindraf leaders and BN collaborators are trying to spin a web of deceit and deception to paint the Penang state government as uncaring of Indians.
"Hindraf might deceive those outside Penang but those in Penang know of our achievements that we have taken a different path to look after the Indians, Malays and Chinese," he said.
Go after the 'real culprits'
Unlike Hindraf and the BN collaborators, Lim said the state government fights for all races and religions and would never become a single racial and religious entity.
Furthermore, he said Hindraf should stop barking up the wrong tree and sink its teeth into the "real culprits" instead.
"It was (former chief minister) Koh (Tsu Koon) and BN that sold out Kampung Buah Pala at the cheap price of only RM10 per square feet in 2007 and without consulting the residents.
"Why has Hindraf lost the courage to oppose the real culprits?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Lim also expressed sadness and disappointment over the behaviour of demonstrators outside the Komtar building yesterday.
"I feel sad that those present called my political secretary Ng Wei Aik 'an office boy' and asked for two graves to be dug for Sri Delima rep RSN Rayer and Penang DCM 2 Prof P Ramasamy," he said.
However, the chief minister said the state government respected the Hindraf leaders' right to hold a peaceful assembly.
"I instructed my officials to respect their rights, accord them full respect and accept any memorandum submitted.
"I also urged the police not to take any action that would lead to untoward incidents," he added.
But this was before the March 8 general election last year, when opposition parties rode on the Hindraf momentum to bag votes from the Indian Malaysian community.
The goal posts have since shifted and the once teammates now find themselves on opposing sides of the field.
In Penang, the controversy surrounding Kampung Buah Pala - where the predominantly Indian inhabitants face eviction - has put Hindraf and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the warpath.As the pressure mounts, Lim lashed out at Hindraf for "spinning a web of deceit" and attempting to paint the state government as uncaring of the Indian community.
The DAP secretary-general also claimed that Hindraf has been infiltrated by Barisan Nasional and MIC collaborators.
In a hard-hitting statement which did little to conceal his resentment, Lim rebutted the "lie" that acquiring Kampung Buah Pala would cost at the most RM30 million.
"Where is it stated in the land acquisition laws or approved by the courts that government can acquire land for public interest at a sum far below the market price?" he asked. Lim said the forcible acquisition of Kampung Buah Pala involving developed land would be of a frightening magnitude and the state government did not have the financial capability to do so.
"Clearly these Hindraf leaders and BN collaborators are trying to spin a web of deceit and deception to paint the Penang state government as uncaring of Indians.
"Hindraf might deceive those outside Penang but those in Penang know of our achievements that we have taken a different path to look after the Indians, Malays and Chinese," he said.
Go after the 'real culprits'
Unlike Hindraf and the BN collaborators, Lim said the state government fights for all races and religions and would never become a single racial and religious entity.
Furthermore, he said Hindraf should stop barking up the wrong tree and sink its teeth into the "real culprits" instead.
"It was (former chief minister) Koh (Tsu Koon) and BN that sold out Kampung Buah Pala at the cheap price of only RM10 per square feet in 2007 and without consulting the residents.
"Why has Hindraf lost the courage to oppose the real culprits?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Lim also expressed sadness and disappointment over the behaviour of demonstrators outside the Komtar building yesterday.
"I feel sad that those present called my political secretary Ng Wei Aik 'an office boy' and asked for two graves to be dug for Sri Delima rep RSN Rayer and Penang DCM 2 Prof P Ramasamy," he said. However, the chief minister said the state government respected the Hindraf leaders' right to hold a peaceful assembly.
"I instructed my officials to respect their rights, accord them full respect and accept any memorandum submitted.
"I also urged the police not to take any action that would lead to untoward incidents," he added.
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