Guan Eng renews call for Umno to leave Penang govt

GEORGE TOWN: DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng has renewed his call for Umno to be removed from the Penang government, questioning its continued value amid its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pas.

Lim, who is Air Putih assemblyman, also hit out at Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow for 'criticising' him over the issue, saying PH leaders should instead address Umno's attacks against the coalition.

Chow, who is also Penang chief minister, had brushed off Lim's call, saying the state PH leadership had not received any directive from the coalition's central leadership to remove Umno from the state government.

Chow was reported as saying Lim's statement did not represent the party's position and that the state chapter would maintain its previous decision pending a ruling by the PH presidential council.

Responding, Lim said his earlier statement was not directed at Chow but at Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, whom he challenged to call for Umno's removal from the Penang government as he had done at the federal level.

"There is no more value for Umno to remain in the Penang state government when they work actively with PN and Pas from within," he said in a statement.

Lim said Penang PH leaders should not be afraid of offending Umno, which he accused of making divisive attacks against non-Muslim religious minorities and failing to be inclusive of non-Malays.

Lim also cited Umno's claim that it had contributed to the defeat of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke in the Chennah state seat during the recent Negri Sembilan elections.

"There is nothing wrong or confusing for DAP leaders to rebut Umno's baseless allegations against PH or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim," he added.

He said Chow might not want DAP leaders to express their views on the matter, but stressed that there was no gag order from Loke.

He said the final decision on whether Umno should remain in the Penang state government rested with the central leadership of DAP and PH.

However, Lim urged Penang PH leaders to take a position on the issue and convey it to the coalition's top leadership.

He claimed Umno was retaining its positions in the Penang state executive council, the two city councils and state government-linked companies despite its limited political leverage.

Lim said PH would continue to command a two-thirds majority in the Penang legislative assembly even without Umno's two assemblymen.

He also argued that the continued presence of Umno could create a negative perception of the Penang PH leadership and state government.

"The price for retaining Umno will be a negative impression of the leadership of Penang PH and state government in failing to recognise that 'the greatest enemy is the enemy within'," he said.