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Lim: DAP waiting for PKR okay for Penang snap election
Published:  Jul 23, 2016 2:04 PM
Updated: 10:19 AM

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party is waiting for a consensus from PKR on a proposed snap election for the state.

Speaking to the press today, Lim hinted that an announcement may be made when they have reached the consensus.

Lim said the original plan was to hold Penang's elections with the national snap polls that BN had been hinting at.

"So we are saying we may as well do it together. [But] if they chicken out, and they are very clever to chicken out ...

"So if they (BN) chicken out of having a snap election, we will ... of course subject to a consensus from PKR, DAP feels we should call for state elections.

"As I said, it is not to save Lim Guan Eng, but Lim Guan Eng cannot be saved.

"But it is to save Malaysia, and save Penang," he said.

The Penang chief minister also speculated that he would be "going to jail" over his corruption charge, but that it did not matter.

What was important, he said, was the need for the people of Penang to pass a verdict on the 1MDB scandal.

"Before and after Wednesday is a different ball game," he said, referring to the US forfeiture suits to seize assets arising from funds they alleged are derived from 1MDB.

Consensus sought

Bernama additonally reported Lim saying an announcement will be forthcoming.

“There’s no confusion on our part, we are very clear and what is necessary is for a consensus to be reached. We are still waiting for the agreement from PKR (and Amanah).

“We are having a meeting on Sunday, let’s wait for the announcement,” he told reporters at the press conference at Dr Wu Lien-Teh Commemorative Global Symposium opening ceremony in George Town.

Asked if an announcement would be made about the snap election, Lim said there was a possibility that an announcement would be made as to whether to call for the snap election or not.

Last Wednesday Lim said he would not make a unilateral decision on the matter (snap polls) but rather continue with discussions with the parties’ allies.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy was reported to have said DAP had shortlisted two options in response to the two corruption charges against Lim.

Ramasamy had said one was to call a snap election to gauge the people’s response to the charges on Lim, who is also the DAP secretary-general, while the other was to wait for the general election which must be called by August 2018.

The Penang state assembly has 40 seats with DAP in the lead with 19 seats, PKR (10), BN (10) and PAS (one).

PKR to consult grassroots

Meanwhile in Kuala Lumpur, Bernama reported PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail saying the party would hold discussions next Tuesday on the matter.

"We are still in the process of actual meeting and discussing. I just met (Selangor Menteri Besar) Azmin Ali and he did mention that on Monday he would attend a programme where Lim would explain the (proposed snap poll) to Penang people," she told reporters at her Aidilfitri open house.

Wan Azizah, who is also Kajang representative, said prior to any decision, PKR must get the nod from party members right down to the grassroots.

"We have to reach out to our own people and our own party members. Then when we tell them that we feel that it is a strong need, we will then go together," she said.

Amanah to decide tomorrow

Meanwhile Bernama also reported that Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) will discuss the Penang state government's proposal to call a snap election at a meeting tomorrow.

Its president, Mohamad Sabu said the meeting will decide whether Amanah will support the proposal for a Penang snap election or not.

"We only heard and read about the proposed snap election via newspapers, nothing official. Amanah has not discussed the matter.

"We will give our views and feedback, including the candidates in tomorrow's meeting to be held in Sungai Besar, Selangor," he told reporters at the Amanah open house in Sungai Dua today.

Asked whether he would contest if a snap election was called, Mohamad Sabu said he was not in a position to make the decision.

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