Saying that detractors were having a case of ‘sour grapes’, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has lashed out at the Barisan Nasional for labeling the state government’s monetary appreciation programme for senior citizens as a ‘gimmick’.

Lim, who spoke at length about the programme at his office in Komtar yesterday, also accused his opponents of being envious of Pakatan Rakyat’s efforts to bring cheer to the state’s elderly.

NONE Lim ( right ) denied that the programme was a gimmick as 82 percent of the 83,000 senior citizens registered under the scheme had received their cash amount of RM100 and had withdrawn the money from various Maybank branches in the state.

 

"We have never denied that the amount of money is small [...] we said that this is a token of appreciation for our senior citizens to tell them we have not forgotten them," said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.

"Please do not look down at the state government’s efforts or at the senior citizens because despite the small amount, the recipients were happy to receive it," he added.

"Please do not be a case of ‘sour grapes’ and jealous about this but instead ask yourselves what have you did for the people when you were the state government," Lim advised opponents of the programme, the first of its kind in Penang.

 

Lim was referring to a media statement by Gerakan chairperson Teng Hock Nam early this week who alleged that giving RM100 each to 83,000 senior citizens on an annual basis would badly affect the state’s coffers.

BN members among recipients

In another media report, state opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim said he regarded the Pakatan Rakyat government scheme as a ‘gimmick’ adding that if RM100 were to be divided by 12, the amount would only work out to a mere RM8.33 a month.

ijok by election day 270407 elderly chinese Lim dared BN and Umno leaders to visit the banks when the seniors were drawing out their money to see for themselves if the exercise was a ‘gimmick’.

He quipped that several BN and Umno leaders and members themselves were spotted to be among the beneficiaries of the programme.

"They looked a bit shy but they still take the money. So why do they criticise the efforts of the state government then?" he asked.

Lim also clarified that the state paid out RM300 annually to every hardcore poor and handicapped person but had not announced this publicly.

He urged BN leaders not to confuse the people about the RM300 token amount for hardcore poor and handicapped as this money was credited directly into the recipients’ bank accounts.

 

"Please reflect and ask yourself why was nothing was given to senior citizens ( pix, above) when you were the state government?" said Lim.