Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng(pix) has refuted claims by Barisan Nasional (BN) that he instigated opposition head and Penang Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim in making him utter alleged seditious and objectionable statements in the state assembly.
At a press conference, Lim produced the Hansard of the assembly proceedings last Thursday to show he was touching on governance matters like tenders and media restrictions when Azhar had come in with his comments.
Azhar, the Umno assemblyman for Penaga and a former state executive councillor, allegedly spoke of "May 13", and suggested that the army take over the functions of the police if there was public dissatisfaction with the police. He also referred to the existence of a "Tiga Line" gang.
"We must look seriously into this matter as we cannot allow this to go on," Lim said.
Penang BN secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya had said on Friday Azhar told the state BN committee he was provoked and instigated in the assembly’s debate "right from day one", even by the chief minister, "with serious racial undertone".
Hilmi said Penang BN did not condone Azhar's alleged remarks that have caused him to be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.
He said that at the committee's meeting on Friday, Azhar also clarified the matter and expressed regret over his comments.
Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Husin, in accepting the motion to refer Azhar to the committee, had said the Azhar's retraction was made only for the "May 13" reference and not for the use of other words deemed objectionable.)
"It’s Lim Guan Eng’s tactic to gain political mileage in the upcoming Sibu by-election," Hilmi said.
The Penang Pakatan Rakyat Youth lodged a police report at the Beach Street police station on Friday, asking Azhar to be investigated for sedition and inciting unrest.
