YOURSAY | ‘Compare MACC probe on PM and Lim - one can influence the outcome, the other cannot.’

Ambiga: CM should consider options, including going on leave

SteveOh: I do not think Penang CM Lim Guan Eng has to go on leave over a private purchase of a property. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's job is to investigate if there is any wrongdoing related to the transaction.

As Lim has indicated his willingness to cooperate, the MACC ought to be able to conduct its investigations in quick time. Since the MACC is able to conduct its investigations without any risk of political interference from Lim, why should there be any need for him to go on leave?

Even if he were charged in court for some wrongdoing, there is still no need for Lim to go on leave. Whether Lim stays on the job or goes on leave will not make an iota of difference to MACC investigations or the result of any court trial.

There is no comparison between the cases of the Penang CM and Malaysian PM. The latter is in a position to influence the affairs of the MACC, whereas the former is not. Politics aside people must see clearly the administrative distinction between the two cases.

One can influence the outcome, the other cannot.

Anonymous #31081882: Yes, Lim has no jurisdiction over MACC, Attorney-General’s Chambers or the police. There is nothing Lim can do to prevent MACC from conducting the investigation.

In the case of PM Najib Razak’s 2.6 billion found in his bank account, it was imperative for him to go on leave because all the investigating government agencies ultimately report to him.

He has the power to transfer any federal civil servant to the PM's Department, which he had attempted to do several times.

Wira: Indeed, Lim does not have administrative nor political influence over the investigative and judicial process, which are under the PM and federal agencies.

A political MACC will take ages to complete its investigation, not that this had not happened before. It will be unfair to Penangites to lose their favourite CM to an accusation which no BN leader dare repeating outside Parliament.

This will not be the end of a baseless claim by BN. If another accusation of corruption by Lim is made by a BN MP in Parliament, should the CM take leave again?

Peneroka: Wira, I am also born and bred in Penang. Yes, Lim has done a relatively good job of running Penang. But he is not beyond criticism.

Go ask Aliran, Penang Forum, Suaram, Women's Centre for Change (WCC), Penang Heritage Trust (PHT), etc, and all the key civil society leaders what they think of Lim's development policies, his vindictiveness and his arrogance?

Don't forget what happened to then CM Lim Chong Eu in 1990 when he pushed for the development of Penang Hill. There are many like me out there who do not want to see Penang lost to BN in the next elections.

Unspin: Presumably Hakam chief S Ambiga is suggesting that the CM goes on leave so that he can take the moral high ground, compared to the man with RM2.6 billion in his personal bank account, who could not.

But the problem is if the CM takes leave, the whole BN machinery will pronounce him guilty as charged.

M Manoharan: A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.

Lim is innocent. He need not go on leave. To go on leave may amount to admission of guilt, which is against the rule of natural justice.

Speaking Sense: Indeed, since Lim cannot influence the investigation and since he has not been charged, I see no reason for him to take leave. Otherwise, anybody can make any wild accusation against public officials and they will have to go on leave.

This is quite different from having an unexplained RM2.6 billion in Najib’s account and those investigating it are appointed by him.

Wg321: If Lim agreed with Ambiga's suggestion, I think one week's leave is enough for MACC to wrap up their investigation unless the MACC, under instructions, play dirty by dragging their investigation until GE14, just like what the Registrar of Societies (ROS) did to DAP's general assembly election before GE13.

Lim will put Najib in a very difficult position by taking one-week leave. After all, Lim does not control the MACC, the police, judiciary, AG’s Chambers, ROS, Special Branch, the media, etc.

Even if Umno managed to get rid of Lim by foul means, people in Penang and the whole country will still vote for DAP.

Maplesyrup: It’s preferably for Lim to go on leave, but it is better that MACC wrap up their investigation as soon as possible since it is not complicated at all.

If Lim goes on leave, there is no guarantee that the MACC would not drag its feet for an extended period of time. Due to the uncertainty of how neutral MACC is, I don’t think Lim should take leave, but rather get MACC to do its job.

Lim's position is not the same as Najib - for he has no influence whatsoever over the civil servants, including police and MACC, both of which are under federal control.

Ericlcc: Now every purchase by Lim will be under Umno microscope.

If Lim buys a 60" TV for RM10,000 and Umno says the TV is worth RM20,000, what then? Must Lim go on leave? Ambiga, what say you?

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