Responding to reports of a proposed “referendum” on the matter, Oh felt that leaders in the DAP-led government should be patient and wait for the General Election, slated for May 2018, to be held instead.
He said the “referendum” of sorts was an attempt by the state government to hold a “trial by public opinion” instead of leaving it to the judiciary to determine if their chief minister was innocent of graft allegations.
“Lim’s case is a personal thing, we do not need a state election for that.
“At least former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo did not ask for a state election when he was charged in court,” Oh said when contacted.
Lim had last month pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of power and of using his position to purchase a bungalow below market value. Lim also faces an additional charge relating to the re-zoning of a piece of land.
He is currently out on RM1 million bail.
Earlier today, Malay Mail Online quoted an anonymous DAP leader as saying snap elections may be held in Penang to gauge public sentiment, following Lim’s corruption case.
“We are discussing it as an option because by holding state elections, we can let the people decide if they still want the Pakatan Harapan state government in light of these false allegations against the chief minister,” a DAP leader told the news portal.
Meanwhile, state Gerakan acting youth chief Jason Loo said snap polls may be a chance to fortify the Opposition bloc as there was a lack of young assemblymen in the state.
“As for Gerakan, we feel we can bring mature, fact-based, constructive criticism-type of politics to Penang.
“We need to oust the politics fuelled by hate in the state, which are used by many senior politicians,” Loo said without elaborating further.