Lim was commenting on Kepala Batas PAS chief Bukhori Ghazali’s claim that there were strong indications that the Islamist party would win in the Umno stronghold.
Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, said Kepala Batas had been an Umno stronghold for a very long time, especially under former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (fondly referred to as Pak Lah).
He also pointed out that PAS had failed to win the seat despite being part of the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat in the past two general elections.
“I am shocked to hear this as this is a Pak Lah stronghold. Even when PAS was strong within the opposition, they could not make it.
“But now when they are alone and friendly with Umno, they suddenly can take over Kepala Batas?
“This is clearly the hopes of a Mat Jenin (a dreamer).”
Earlier, Lim handed over aid of between RM1,000-RM1,200 to Penang-born students headed to universities this year, at the Dewan Milenium in Kepala Batas, Butterworth.
A total of 806 new students from Seberang Perai received the aid today, while 230 others received the same on the island yesterday.
The Penang government has given RM17.4 million in aid to university-bound students since 2008.
Driving home his point about Kepala Batas, Lim said the record crowd who showed up recently for a ceramah by former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Bertam here, was proof of how much support elder politicians had.
Lim said Pakatan Harapan was more realistic in targeting seats and would not pledge to take over a seat that had been a traditional stronghold of Umno.
“You have to be realistic. Where there is a chance in certain places, we will say there is a chance.
“But for PAS to say they can take over Kepala Batas, despite knowing about the Pak Lah factor, is wishful thinking.
“But as for the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat next-door, that is a different story,” Lim said.
Tasek Gelugor was won by Umno’s Shabudin Yahaya in the last general election with a majority of 3,042 votes over PAS’ Abdul Rahman Maidin.
Kepala Batas was won by Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican with a majority of 4,176 votes over PAS’ Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden. PAS also lost the seat in the past three polls.
When contacted, Bukhori said winning Kepala Batas was a definite possibility, provided all in the party “worked hard”.
He said he was annoyed with Lim for equating PAS to “Mat Jenin”, saying it was up to every party to set its goals.
Bukhori said with 6,000 new and verified members in Kepala Batas’ new residential areas and the party’s new branches, the tide could very well change for PAS this time.
In a tit for tat, Bukhori, who is also state PAS election director, cautioned Lim against being a “dreamer” himself as his vote bank was expected to be reduced significantly in the next polls.
“I will admit that PAS might have trouble getting Chinese support. But may I remind the chief minister that he also cannot dream of getting full support. We have done our research on this.
“DAP also would not get 100% votes from the Chinese in the next polls,” he told FMT.