Penang Gerakan Vice-Chairman Oh Tong Keong said the Penang government ought to initiate a commission of inquiry on the matter.
He said knowing the DAP-led state government would “attempt to whitewash the matter”, the leaked video footage would be handed over to Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas, so that a commission of inquiry could be initiated at his behest.
He said if given the green light, Gerakan hoped to be part of the investigation committee.
“These are the questions that need to be answered—has Uncle Lim (Siew Khim’s father Keat Seong) received “coffee money”, as alleged in the leaked video?
“After the money was received, who was the money handed over to? When will the state government take legal action against Uncle Lim?
“It is clear from yesterday’s press conference by Siew Khim that they had tried to ‘tai chi’ the whole thing,” Oh said in a press conference at the state Gerakan headquarters here today.
In a video uploaded onto the Penang Kini Facebook page on Sunday, a man alleged to be Lim’s father, Keat Seong, together with his broker, and “deceived” home buyer were seen talking about settlement terms after a failed home purchase.
According to the video, those interested to “cut the queue” in the government’s affordable home scheme programme, would have to pay RM260 to an “Uncle Lim”, who would then ensure they get a unit.
Currently, all state government housing applications are vetted by a seven-member Selection Process Enhancement Committee (SPEC)—to determine how deserving the applicant was.
Some of the factors considered are income, number of children in the family, number of cars owned, among others, before an applicant is granted a lot.
According to the state government, there were 35,229 people on the waiting list for affordable homes in April.
Affordable housing is a category of housing priced below RM400,000 for units on the island and below RM250,000 for units on the mainland.
Siew Khim, in a teary press conference yesterday, denied involvement in the racket and was not aware of her father’s alleged misdeeds.
Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan anti-corruption and land subcommittee chief Hng Khoon Leng said it was “perverse” that Penang government officials did not want to lodge a police report over the apparent bribe scandal.
“It is clear they are irresponsible when they say that a police report would not be necessary. By right, they should have reported it right away.
“The video, when it surfaced, is just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
Hng repeated his call to those who were involved in the affordable housing bribe scandal to contact Gerakan or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission immediately.
“Those who come forward to give information need not worry as they would be protected under the Whistleblower Protection Act.”
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