The proposed snap election for Penang is not meant to "save" Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said DAP publicity chief Tony Pua.

He said Lim would still be prosecuted and put to jail regardless of whether an election is called, or its outcome.

Instead, he said, the snap election would give the people an opportunity to have a say about the corruption charges against Lim.

“The state election is so that the people of Penang can fight back against BN; so that the people of Penang have a say in the direction of the state and the country.

“BN is saying that Lim Guan Eng has been charged and therefore he must take leave.

"DAP is saying that he doesn’t have to take leave because the charge is ridiculous. So who's right, and who is the best judge to tell us who is right?

“If Lim Guan Eng has to take leave, I’m sure the people of Penang will vote accordingly, and we will have to take leave from government.

“But if the people of Penang believe in the government led by Pakatan Harapan, then there is no need for Lim Guan Eng to take leave until the charges of BN, of the attorney-general, are completed,” he told a dinner function with some 700 DAP supporters last night.

The function in Shah Alam was part of the nationwide 'Support, Sympathy and Solidarity with Lim Guan Eng (SSSLGE) 2.0', which is meant to rally support for Lim as he faces two corruption charges in court.

PKR early decision hoped

Lim was charged on June 30 under Section 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 and Section 165 of the Penal Code, for making a decision at the Penang State Planning Committee, allegedly for businessperson Phang Li Koon’s benefit in exchange for a discount on the bungalow allegedly sold to Lim below market price.

Both Lim and Phang had pleaded not guilty and claimed trial, while Lim and his party allege they are being politically victimised.

A decision on whether to hold a snap election has yet to be reached, as DAP’s ally PKR has yet to decide. The final decision will be based on a consensus by the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which includes Amanah.

Speaking to reporters after the dinner function, Lim was tightlipped on whether a decision would be reached today, or in the coming week, except to say that an early decision from PKR would be good.

He added that an explanation on the eventual decision should be explained to the people of Penang, whatever that decision may be.

Strike while iron's hot

Meanwhile, Pua on stage argued that the snap election should be held sooner rather than later, while people are still angry over Lim’s alleged political victimisation.

As time passes, he said, people would simply forget about the issue and move on with their lives.

“This is natural. We don’t blame the people, but this is a natural reaction and we must strike while the iron is hot, and the iron is extremely hot now because the United States has just presented us with the best gift ever,” he said.

Pua was referring to a civil forfeiture suit in the US to seize over US$1 billion in assets allegedly bought with money misappropriated from 1MDB and laundered through the US financial system, which he says is proof of high corruption.

He had previously argued that one of the key persons, cited as ‘Malaysian Official 1’ in the court documents, is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Malaysian attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali has stated that there is no evidence of money being misappropriated from 1MDB, and previously cleared Najib of wrongdoing.