Guan Eng-Tsu Koon spat continues
Regina LeePublished: Jun 16, 2011 5:41 PM | Updated: Jun 17, 2011 9:14 AM
The spat between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his predecessor Koh Tsu Koon continues, with Lim throwing a challenge to Koh to 'take action' if he (Lim) had lied.
The spat between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his predecessor Koh Tsu Koon continues, with Lim throwing a challenge to Koh to 'take action' if he (Lim) had lied.
Responding to the minister in Prime Minister's Department for calling him a liar for questioning Koh's statement that a RM4 billion research centre would be opened in Penang, Lim showed a stack of mainstream media news clippings announcing the centre.
Lim had previously demanded proof of the RM4 billion Global Excellence Centre to be set up by American multinational Motorola at its Penang plant.
However, Koh denied ever making such an announcement, challenging Lim to substantiate his claim.
And proof Lim did show to reporters, in the lobby of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur today.
With sheaves of news clippings in his hand, he showed that Koh had told journalists on May 16 that he played a role as an adviser to Motorola in coming to the RM4 billion investment decision.
The announcement of the investment was made in New York on May 19 by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said Motorola would also provide service support for customers throughout the Asia Pacific region.
"So now, apparently, there's no RM4 billion investment. Has the RM4 billion centre disappeared? Of course the announcement was made by the PM, but Koh said that he played a big role.
"If the investment is not there, then it will be an embarrassment to the prime minister and the country for Najib to have made a false announcement in the US of an investment this big," Lim said.
Stressing that the decision was a "big deal" to Penang and Malaysia as well, Lim said that all he wanted to know was where the centre would be sited.
"It is important to Penang because research and development will be delayed. And then he comes around and says that I'm not telling the truth. I dare (Koh) to take action against me if I am lying," he added.
Poor turnout at anti-Lynas briefing
In another development, an anti-Lynas rare earth plant briefing at the Parliament building failed to attract attention of the MPs, with less than 15 from Pakatan Rakyat turning up and none from the BN.
Organised by PKR research arm Kajian Politik Untuk Perubahan, the parliamentary lecture was titled 'The Controversial Lynas - Real Issues'.
Moderator and Kuantan MP from PKR Fuziah Salleh said if the Atomic Energy Licensing Board could not to identify the radioactive leak at a pharmaceutical plant in Subang, it had no business regulating a rare earth plant in Gebeng.
"Until now, no one knows where the factory where the radioactive leaked is located. Even (Selangor exco in charge of environment) Elizabeth Wong was simply told to ask the minister.
"I can see that the principles of transparency and accountability are not being upheld," Fuziah said.
VIDEO | 5.33 mins
'Durianthon' to aid Merdeka Review
Responding to the minister in Prime Minister's Department for calling him a liar for questioning Koh's statement that a RM4 billion research centre would be opened in Penang, Lim showed a stack of mainstream media news clippings announcing the centre.
Lim had previously demanded proof of the RM4 billion Global Excellence Centre to be set up by American multinational Motorola at its Penang plant.However, Koh denied ever making such an announcement, challenging Lim to substantiate his claim.
And proof Lim did show to reporters, in the lobby of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur today.
With sheaves of news clippings in his hand, he showed that Koh had told journalists on May 16 that he played a role as an adviser to Motorola in coming to the RM4 billion investment decision.
The announcement of the investment was made in New York on May 19 by Prime Minister Najib Razak, who said Motorola would also provide service support for customers throughout the Asia Pacific region.
"So now, apparently, there's no RM4 billion investment. Has the RM4 billion centre disappeared? Of course the announcement was made by the PM, but Koh said that he played a big role.
"If the investment is not there, then it will be an embarrassment to the prime minister and the country for Najib to have made a false announcement in the US of an investment this big," Lim said.Stressing that the decision was a "big deal" to Penang and Malaysia as well, Lim said that all he wanted to know was where the centre would be sited.
"It is important to Penang because research and development will be delayed. And then he comes around and says that I'm not telling the truth. I dare (Koh) to take action against me if I am lying," he added.
Poor turnout at anti-Lynas briefing
In another development, an anti-Lynas rare earth plant briefing at the Parliament building failed to attract attention of the MPs, with less than 15 from Pakatan Rakyat turning up and none from the BN.
Organised by PKR research arm Kajian Politik Untuk Perubahan, the parliamentary lecture was titled 'The Controversial Lynas - Real Issues'.
Moderator and Kuantan MP from PKR Fuziah Salleh said if the Atomic Energy Licensing Board could not to identify the radioactive leak at a pharmaceutical plant in Subang, it had no business regulating a rare earth plant in Gebeng.
"Until now, no one knows where the factory where the radioactive leaked is located. Even (Selangor exco in charge of environment) Elizabeth Wong was simply told to ask the minister.
"I can see that the principles of transparency and accountability are not being upheld," Fuziah said.
VIDEO | 5.33 mins
'Durianthon' to aid Merdeka Review
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