The motion was proposed by state opposition leader Jahara Hamid (BN-Telok Ayer Tawar), who urged Lim to resign to avoid “coercion of public officers” who would likely stand as witnesses for his trial.
Law added that a similar motion by Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong), requiring public officers to take leave if they are charged in court, was denied as well.
Law said Farid’s motion was not necessary, as a code of ethics for civil servants is already provided for by the federal government and the Penang state constitution.
“The Penang government’s stand on Lim is very clear and the court is still looking into it,” Law said during the opening of the question-and-answers session at the assembly this morning.
Farid then stood up, telling Law the excuse given was not good enough.
He said giving only “five to six” lines of answers in writing the rejection also “did not make sense”.
“I am very clear in my motion. I am asking all in the Penang civil service and top leaders in the state to take leave when they are tried for corruption.
“I am not saying they resign, but just take ‘cuti’ (leave),” Farid told the speaker.
Law however said his decision was final, adding that he could have rejected Farid’s motions based on other technicalities.
Last week, Jahara and Farid called the rejection of the motion undemocratic and unacceptable.
Today, all 10 BN assembly members wore a white ribbon on their lapels in protest of the denied motions.
Jahara said the ribbon was placed in mourning the death of “CAT”, the Penang government’s motto which stands for competent, accountable and transparent.
Last year, Lim and a businesswoman claimed trial for two charges of corruption for rezoning a land in Balik Pulau and purchasing a bungalow below market price.
Lim’s political rivals have asked him to resign or take leave since the opposition has called for government leaders to do the same when they are accused of graft.
Lim has denied any wrongdoing and calls his case a political ploy by the ruling BN federal government to end his political career.
The state executive council had decided Lim can stay as CM pending the outcome of his trial.
Meanwhile, Law also said a motion by Teh Yee Cheu (DAP-Tanjung Bungah) to limit the chief ministership to two terms was also rejected.
Law said Teh had been advised to recommend his motion through the State Constitutional Committee.
Teh had tried to move the two-term motion through the committee before but had failed in his attempt.