This was the unanimous decision made by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council, which today reiterated that the charges against Lim were merely BN’s attempt to bring down the Opposition, especially in Penang.
Talks were rife of possible snap polls in the state as Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy put forward the idea in order to gauge voters’ response to the allegations against Lim.
However, according to Opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the proposal was not part of the itinerary in PH’s presidential council meeting held at PKR headquarters here today.
“It was not discussed,” she said briefly.
The reason, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke explained, was because no decision has been made by the party’s leadership, although the proposal was discussed informally.
“The central leadership has yet to decide on anything. It was just a rumour in the media, but there is no decision from DAP’s side yet.
“It is an option and if we have a decision or the intention to make such decision, only then will we bring it up for discussion with our friends in Pakatan Harapan.”
Loke however admitted that Lim, as the Penang Chief Minister, and with the consent of the Governor, has the power to dissolve the state legislative assembly.
Lim, who is also DAP’s secretary-general had claimed trial for a charge under Sect 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act for allowing an application to re-zone a piece of land owned by businesswoman Phang Li Khoon’s company Magnificent Emblem Sdn Bhd (MESB).
He was also charged under Sect 165 of the Penal Code for buying a piece of property below market value.