Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng called on the people of Penang today not to forget to renew the meaning of Merdeka as a struggle for truth, justice and freedom.

He urged all Penangites to reject all forms of political dominance that exploits racial and religious hatred.

“We must continue to fight for truth, if we are to preserve our freedom and defend justice,” said Lim, in his speech to commemorate Malaysia’s 59th Merdeka celebration.

“The truth is that Penang has changed for the better, as compared to 2008.

“Penang will continue to strive to be an entrepreneurial and welfare state to bring both prosperity and progress to all, regardless of race, religion, background or political beliefs,” added Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.

“Only then can Penang be an international and intelligent city that is clean, green, safe and healthy.”

In driving his point home, Lim outlined three recent statements, which he claimed “highlight the extent of lies” made by BN leaders against Penang.

The first is the claim by Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya that the Penang government is planning to build a Light Rail Transit into the George Town heritage enclave, putting the state’s Unesco World Heritage status at risk.

“The truth is that the proposed LRT is to be built outside the heritage enclave with trams proposed inside.

“And yet there is no apology from (Dr) Hilmi, who continues to perpetuate this blatant lie to run down the image of the state government,” he said.

Next is the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan that the state government had sold RM40 billion worth of government land.

'This is an outrageous lie'

Lim described this as an “outrageous lie”, adding: “If that is true, this would have been reflected in our state government financial accounts audited by the Auditor-General (AG)”.

Lim said the AG had repeatedly praised Penang as “one of the best financially-managed” state governments in Malaysia.

In the AG’s annual reports, there is no RM40 billion proceeds from the land sales, he added.

He also pointed to Penang Gerakan’s baseless personal attack against DAP Sungai Pinang assemblywoman Lim Siew Khim, where her father was caught in a video clip with victims who allegedly paid money to obtain public housing.

Siew Khim has denied being involved in the matter, saying she has no knowledge of her 68-year-old father Lim Keat Seong’s activities.

Lim said this in reference to Gerakan’s insinuation that low-cost houses can be obtained from the state government through the payment of bribes.

Penang state executive councillor for housing Jagdeep Singh Deo denied the allegations, urging victims of such housing scam to lodge police reports immediately.

“None of those who allegedly paid bribes got any low-cost houses. This proves that the state government’s system of allocating low-cost houses is corruption-free and is offered only to those deserving,” Lim said.