He said the latest “lie” was spread by former prime minister Najib Razak that he, as finance minister, was threatening not to pay the salaries of government civil servants who do not vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH).
“I had never said that. Clearly, the opposition is seeking to win by lies and falsehoods,” Lim said in a statement.
Lim also mentioned earlier reports that claimed Prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is the puppet of DAP or himself.
“Now, the latest reports in the press indicate that instead it is DAP and me that are the puppets of the prime minister.
“These false press reports also claim that as many as nine important agencies and departments have been transferred out from the finance ministry to the Prime Minister’s Department. This is untrue.
“Unfortunately, the press reports do not disclose that there are also agencies that have just been transferred to the finance ministry, such as Malaysian Health Tourism Council, that oversees all private hospitals, and the Economic Development Corridors.
“The only major difference is the transfer of Khazanah to the Prime Minister’s Department, especially as Khazanah has always been chaired by the prime minister, even under BN.”
Lim said Mahathir wanted to take charge and play a more pro-active role in Khazanah, because its role was established by him when he first became prime minister in 1982.
PH’s Karmanie Sardini will face candidates from Barisan Nasional, Gerakan and Berjasa and two independents in the Nov 16 by-election.
The other candidates are Wee Jeck Seng (BN), Wendy Subramaniam (Gerakan), Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (Berjasa) and independents Faridah Aryani Abdul Ghaffar and Ang Chuan Lock.
Wee, 55, the Tanjung Piai MCA division chief, was the MP for the constituency for two terms from 2008 to 2018. He lost the seat to PPBM’s Md Farid Md Rafik in GE14. Farid died on Sept 21, leading to the by-election.
LTTE links
Lim welcomed the clarification by Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin that terrorism and communist conspiracy allegations, spread by the opposition, are lies and have nothing to do with the DAP.
He welcomed Muhyiddin’s announcement that police will seriously investigate allegations of torture and forced confessions by several of the accused in the LTTE case while being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
DAP hoped that the police can also explain the US government’s report on terrorism in 2018 which observed that Malaysia’s continued role as a “source and transit point” for terrorist groups like the Islamic State, Abu Sayyaf, al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah.
Lim noted that no mention was made by the US government report on terrorist activities by LTTE.
“Public concerns will only mount over the recent police action taken on those with alleged LTTE links, when the LTTE is now defunct and no longer in existence, as compared to the other active terrorist groups.
“Let us unite together not only to defeat the lies of the opposition and their racist and religious extremism but also the dangers of the ‘deep state’, as exposed by PH secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah.”
End politics of racism
Lim urged the voters to reject politics of racism and religious extremism by the opposition and focus on which political party can deliver better services, better policies and better benefits to the people.
“PH is superior to the opposition in fighting corruption and for competent economic management.”
Lim said PAS not only supports BN but has also shown itself to be so incompetent in running the economy until they have to ask financial assistance of RM191.5 million from the federal government in 2018 and 2019 to help pay for the salaries of their civil servants.
He said any victory by MCA in the Tanjung Piai by-election may lead to endorsement of the racist and extremist religious philosophy of both PAS and Umno which states, among others, that:
- Non-Malays or non-Muslims do not deserve to hold ministerial positions in Cabinet;
- Vernacular schools teaching mother-tongue languages should be closed down;
- Non-Muslims especially Christians, cannot gather for their religious prayers;
- Boycotting non-Muslim products and businesses; and,
- Labelling non-Muslim and non-Malays who oppose them as pigs, terrorists and communists.