Penang CM dubbed 'father of racism'

State Opposition Leader Azhar Ibrahim has dubbed the Penang chief minister the 'Father of Racism', simultaneously denouncing him as “political rubbish” for allegedly accusing Umno of intending to 'demolish' Hindu temples if the party returns to power.

His remarks followed this morning’s walkout from the state assembly by BN representatives, after speaker Abdul Halim Hussain rejected their motion to refer Lim Guan Eng to the rights and privileges committee for the purported remark.

At a press conference today, Azhar (left) reiterated that he will lodge reports with the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) about the remark, as well as his suspicion that the Hansard entry on this had been "manipulated".

He also expressed disappointment with Abdul Halim for not allowing the House to debate the matter.

"Democracy in Penang is dead because we were not allowed to debate the motion. Even though we (BN) are not the majority, the House should debate (the issue and) then vote whether to approve the motion or not," he said.

Lim has denied making the remark, insisting he had merely said that he felt “Hindu temples would be threatened" should Umno lead Penang after the next polls.

Through the speaker’s office, he proved it by showing reporters a video clip yesterday - the word ‘demolish’ was not mentioned.

Abdul Halim said he had rejected the motion because it involved a baseless allegation and that the wrong section of the Standing Order had been invoked.

He also said Azhar was in "contempt" of the assembly for claiming that the Hansard had been manipulated.

Lim not reacting to Azhar

Lim said he was “shocked” to hear Azhar threatening to lodge reports with the police and MACC, but welcomed the move.

Azhar had also challenged Lim to repeat his comment outside the House.

Lim said he does not have to repeat what he said, since he would not have enjoyed immunity in the House if he had indeed made a seditious remark.

"I did not demolish the temple (in Prai), but I have been blamed for it. They’ve tried to slander me over what I said about the .... temples in the state assembly,” he told a press conference.

"And they tried to shift the blame to PAS when it was (caused by) Penang Port Sdn Bhd, chaired by Hilmi Yahya (BN-Telok Bahang), an Umno leader.”

He insisted that Hilmi and Penang Port Commission and MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek must apologise and rebuild the temple.

Hilmi has said that he will resolve the matter.