Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today ridiculed MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for refusing to apologise to the brother-in-law of deceased political aide Teoh Beng Hock who was injured in a scuffle at an MCA event in Galas last week.

NONE “The question is, did it happen at an MCA event? We have photographs to prove it, and it has already been published by Malaysiakini and other (publications), so what does he need? A video?” Lim asked.

Chua said that he will not apologise until he hears from both sides - the MCA and the Malaysians for Beng Hock support group.

Sor Cher Hai was with the group in Galas to collect signatures from parliamentarians and ministers for a petition to open a Royal Commission of Inquiry into deaths in custody.

He sustained minor injuries after he was pushed to the ground by an MCA supporter when he tried to approach MCA Senator Heng Seai Kie.

Speaking to reporters at the World Chinese Economic Forum, Lim said that all the family wants is for a full investigation to be made into the death of the DAP political aide.

“They just want justice. Is that so hard?” he asked.

Chua also questioned why Teoh’s family had to collect signatures during a by-election campaign, implying that the move is politically motivated.

“You would have to ask the family themselves, otherwise people would say (that the DAP) is behind them,” said Lim, who is also DAP secretary general.

Intelligent city requires intelligent government

Earlier in his address, the Penang CM said that Penang aspires to be an intelligent city, which also requires an intelligent government with integrity.

“It doesn’t matter if the people are smart if the government is stupid. But intelligence must come with integrity or else they will be smart in stealing your money,” said Lim.

He added that Penang’s revenue collection was the highest in Malaysia despite the economic downturn last year as residents were confident that the state government would not steal from them.

Also speaking today was Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen, who said that for each ringgit that the government spends on tourism, it gets 158 times returns in tourist spending.

The minister, who is under fire for her exorbitant travel budget, however, managed to escape the media as she slipped away from the event immediately after her address.

Who's cheating the 'orang kampung'?